Graphic by Isis Blue

Best I Ever Had

Author: August528@aol.com
Disclaimer: I do not own nor profit from any of these wonderful UPN/WB characters!
Distribution: Ask me first! Once I get someone to help me with my site, ALL of my stories will be on it.
Rating: PG-13
Couples: Mainly B/A but there will be others!
Catg: Drama/angst/smut/
Summary: This is my first AU High School story. Buffy has return from private school to discover that life has changed in the small town where she was raised. The one thing that hasn't changed is her strong attraction to the boy who lives down the road. Buffy and Angel discover that they were meant to be together while the rest of the world tries to keep them apart!
Feedback: HELLO! WE ALL WANT AND NEED IT!

Author's Note: I was listening to the song, Best I Ever Had by Vertical Horizon when this plot came to mind. Hope you guys like it. :) August
Note 2: Yes, I'm still writing on all of my other stories. I apologize that life has been taking so much of my time. I will try to write at least a chapter on one or more stories every night. But I need awesome feedback in order to find the energy and drive to that. :)

Chapter One

Buffy Summers sat on her bed staring around her room. It had not changed in the two years that she had been away. Buffy wasn't really too surprised by this fact but it still felt odd. Buffy's parents had got a divorce two years ago. Buffy grew tired of hearing the constant fighting and wars between her parents so she opted for away out of it all. Buffy sent herself to boarding school. Buffy knew that she seemed insane to volunteer for such a trip but she was genuinely relieved to be so far away from her home and family.

Buffy would have remained at Chadwick had her father not refused to make the steep payments. Buffy was deeply upset that he thought it was foolish for her to attend a school so far away from them both. Buffy had argued with him that she did not want to live with either of them and there for it was the best solution for her. Of course Hank Summers had protested that if she did not want to live with him then she would live her mother and that was the bottom line.

Buffy knew it had to hurt her mother when she refused to even live with her but she didn't want to deal with them arguing who was the best parent for her. Buffy thought they were both incredibly selfish and mad. Now here she was back in the house where she had been born.

Buffy heard a soft tap on her door.

"Come in." Buffy answered to the polite intrusion.

"Buffy, I just wanted to check and see if you needed any help." Joyce Summers explained as she step in the room.

"I think I can manage to put up my clothes. They make you do that sort of thing at private school." Buffy replied with a roll of her eyes.

"I see. I was wondering after you put your things away if you would like to go to Dusty's ice cream parlor with me?" Joyce offered with a pair of hopeful eyes.

Buffy debated momentarily whether she should go on the trip just to appease her mother or be honest and not go.

"Sure." Buffy answered hating her weakness.

"Great." Joyce smiled victoriously as she close the door behind her.

Buffy fell back onto the bed with a heavy sigh. Buffy knew that her mother did not deserve to have her anger directed toward her when it was her father who had started the entire feud between them.

Buffy got off of the bed and proceeded toward her closet to pick out an appropriate out fit for the outing. Buffy looked at her uniform laying on the bed. Buffy missed Chadwick already. Buffy didn't have to concern herself about her clothes back there. They were all required to wear the same uniform no matter where they went.

Buffy threw on the pink sweater her mother had sent for her birthday. Then pulling a pair of jeans out of the closet she slip them on. Then she grabs her tennis shoes out of her shoe bag. Once the outfit was complete she ran the brush through her hair a few times then headed down the stairs.

Buffy had just step off the last step when she heard a familiar voice coming from the kitchen.

Walking into the kitchen she saw a red headed girl talking to her mother.

"Willow?" Buffy ask as she stared at the backside of the girl.

"Buffy!!! On my God! I have so missed you!" Willow threw her arms around Buffy as she held her long lost best friend tightly.

"Wil, you’re hurting me." Buffy chuckled, as she felt weak from the lack of breath.

"I’m sorry! It's just that I cannot believe you didn't write to let me know you were coming home." Willow flash her a disappointed smile.

"I figured it would be better to just show up on your door step. How did you know I was here?" Buffy ask.

"Your mother called me yesterday and told me you would be in sometime today." Willow explained with a happy smile plastered on her face.

"I should have known." Buffy grumbled, as she looked Willow over from head to toes.

Buffy was impressed at the changes she saw in her child hood friend.

Willow's long dark red hair was cut in a cute bob cut style. Buffy also found the slight perm hair adorable as well. Then Buffy noted that she had finally dropped the overalls look and was wearing more in style clothes.

"You look fabulous Willow!" Buffy exclaimed.

"Thanks! I must say I was lost without your extraordinary fashion advice." Willow replied.

"I see someone filled my shoes." Buffy teased her.

Willow sensed that Buffy was not so happy about her return home. Willow had not been given all the details by Buffy's mother.

"Want to go to the park with me? I can show you all the changes and we could catch up." Willow suggested.

Buffy glance toward her mother who had been watching the scene between the girls.

"Go ahead. We can ice cream later." Joyce smiled happily toward the girls.

"Are you sure?" Buffy ask politely.

"Yes! Go on!" Joyce pushes them out of the door before she changed her mind.

Once outside the house Buffy felt more relaxed.

"How are you doing?" Willow asks nervously as she watches Buffy's face closely.

"I’m better now." Buffy stated as they headed toward the city park.

"What's going on? I mean, your mother was excited that you were coming home but you don't appear to be as pleased?" Willow asks with a hurt look in her eyes.

"My dad is his usual selfish asshole self." Buffy replied with a sarcastic smile on her face.

"Uh?" Willow was confused.

"My father refused to make any more payments toward Chadwick. He thought it was silly that he had to pay three times the amount he would have to pay for child support. He also thought it was time for me to come home and start acting the role of a dutiful daughter." Buffy answered as she fought back unshed tears.

"You didn't want to come back?" Willow ask with a hurt expression.

"I missed you Willow. I missed a few things from here but I did not miss the fights and constant debates between my parents. Dad said that Mom did not deserve to be treated so unfairly by her own daughter. I gather it is okay that he slept with her best friend and was constantly away on business. I gathered it was okay that he treated her like dirt but it was not okay for me to attend a prestigious school that several hundreds of girls would die to be accepted at." Buffy replied with an angry snort.

"Your mother seems to be a lot happier since the divorce was finalized and that Hank moved to LA. The gossip died away and she seems content with her new found independence. I think you will find life easier with just you and your Mom." Willow hoped.

"I know that life should be a lot less complicated with him out of the picture. I just...I don't know. I've been so angry the less few years. I'm tired of the disappointments and heart aches." Buffy answered with teary eyes.

"I'm so sorry Buffy." Willow put her arm around her friends shoulder as they sat on the park bench.

"I know Willow. I know how hard it is on you as well. I still can't believe your parents just took off to Egypt without a care in the world." Buffy remembered Willow's disappointments in her own parents.

"Luckily for me I'm an only child or I would have been stuck caring for a brat or two." Willow joked.

"You are so lucky in away though. You have the house to yourself." Buffy said.

"Yeah, well my Aunt Ruby comes and stays the night twice a week. She checks the bills and groceries. I think she just wants to make sure I'm still alive." Willow chuckled.

"Well, you can stay with us anytime you want." Buffy offered.

"Thanks." Willow smiled as she gave Buffy another hug.

"I can't wait for you to meet Oz." Willow announced as she released Buffy.

"Who is Oz?" Buffy frown.

"He is this new guy that I've been talking to a lot. I guess we could be like boyfriend and girlfriend except we haven't been out on an official date." Willow answered with a soft blush to her cheeks.

"Wow! So you two are getting to know one another but you’re not sure how he feels about you." Buffy stated.

"Pretty much sums it up." Willow agreed with a sparkle in her eyes.

"Sounds like life has not been too dull without me." Buffy smiled happily at her best friend.

"Things have changed since you left but it was not quite the same without you." Willow admitted.

"Well, I'm back now. Let's hope that life only gets better from this point on." Buffy sighed heavily as they stood up to start the tour.

Chapter 2

The tour of the changes in Sunnydale didn't take long. They ended the tour at the front of the High School.

"I see that the plans for a new High School never happened." Buffy said as she stood staring at the front of the building.

"Nope, it seems that they decided they would just add to it rather than rebuild it." Willow answered.

Buffy remembered when they had once dreamed of what they would do once they got into High School. They were both hoping to be popular with the cutest boyfriends. Buffy was going to be the head cheerleader while Willow would be class president. Buffy suspected that Willow would still accomplish her dream but Buffy just could not fathom herself cheering for anything even a football team.

"So are you still running for class president?" Buffy ask.

"Yeah, right. It doesn't pay to be just smart anymore. If you’re not in with "In" crowd you can hang your hat up." Willow sighed with a disappointed glare toward the building.

"What do you mean?" Buffy ask with a frown.

"Cordelia Chase! Yes, the snotty little rich girl has made her mark here already. She is beautiful and loaded and did I mention a cheerleader. Well, if Cordelia doesn't like you then your not accepted. Which means you are nothing without her approval?" Willow replied with an angry snort.

"Are you serious?" Buffy exclaimed with shock.

"Yep, she has this little group of fans that do her bidding. The whole class is scared of pissing her off." Willow rolled her eyes at the absurd behavior of her fellow class members.

"So, she doesn't think you will make a good class president then no one will vote for you?" Buffy ask.

"Yes," Willow sighed heavily.

"Why wouldn't Cordelia approve you as class president and who died and left her in charge of the school body?" Buffy ask with an angry look on her face.

"You have been away far too long." Willow patted her on the back.

"Come again?" Buffy chuckled as she waited for Willow's answer.

"Cordelia is not only rich, beautiful and popular but until this past summer she was also dating the most popular guy. The one who really got her the label of popularity was our well known Angel King." Willow answered.

Willow had wondered if Buffy still carried a torch for the guy who lived two houses down from her? Willow remembered when Buffy had a horrible crush on Angel King. Willow hoped that Buffy's dream of confessing her love for the hunk might stir up things around there. Willow wanted to watch as Buffy and Cordelia battled for the popular spot. Willow knew that Cordelia would be shaking in her books when she got a look at Buffy. Buffy had got even more beautiful and sophisticated since she left two years earlier. When Buffy was in school she was more liked than Cordelia. Buffy was actually nice to people. Cordelia intimidated people into her inner circle.

"Angel dated Cordelia!" Buffy cried out with a hurt face.

"Yep, for nearly a year. They were even voted cutest couple. Cordelia hung on his every word. It was sickening. Then Angel started mooning over Cordelia as well. We all wanted to be put to death after watching them together." Willow answered with a disgusted expression.

"What happen to him? I thought he hated her." Buffy cried out.

"He did but then she grew boobs!" Willow joked.

"Figures." Buffy rolled her eyes in disgust.

"What happen to everyone else?" Buffy prayed that the roles of her other friends had not changed so drastically.

"Xander is still Xander except that Angel hardly hangs out with him. I guess he is not cool enough anymore. No, wait he was not cool enough for Cordy to hang out with so Angel dump him. Gunn, still hangs out with him but that is due to his superior athletic abilities. Anya joined the fan crowd of Cordy's. Spike, well.... he sorta hangs out with who ever he wants. You know Spike." Willow laughed.

"Yeah, well I pray that he so got over that James Dean look." Buffy remembered the blond headed guy who wore leather no matter what season they were in.

"Fraid not!" Willow burst out in laughter.

"Lord help us." Buffy rolled her eyes playfully.

"You said that Angel and Cordelia were dating until this summer. What happen?" Buffy ask curiously.

"Rumor has it that Cordelia decided she wanted to date older guys instead of High School boys." Willow answered.

"Sounds like the Cordy I remember. Always wanting something bigger and better than everyone else." Buffy shook her head in disbelief at all the changes.

"Speaking of bigger and better." Willow glance behind Buffy's head to see a familiar face approaching them.

Buffy was not sure why but her heart began to race and the palms of her hands grew sweaty even more she even saw who was walking toward them.

"Hey Willow! You must be pretty excited about starting a new year." Angel King teased his one of his oldest friends as he walk up to her. Angel had seen the blond when he caught sight of Willow and wondered who the new girl was.

Buffy force her head to turn and look toward the approaching male. Their eyes lock and it seem as if time stood still for a few seconds as they both try to find the right words to say.

"Buffy? Is that you?" Angel asks with a shock smile on his face.

Buffy felt his eyes roam over her body for a brief second.

"I believe so." Buffy finally found her voice.

"Wow! I did not know you were back home." Angel exclaimed.

"Yeah, well I'm here." Buffy felt stupid all of a sudden. Buffy hated this strange affect that this young man had on her for as long as she could remember.

"I can see that." Angel's eyes exposed that he was quite pleased to see her.

"How have you been?" Buffy ask as she clasp her hands together behind her back. She knew it was the only way to keep them from fidgeting nervously whenever he was near her.

"Fine. I must say that you look great!" Angel answered with a bright smile.

"Thanks so do you." Buffy return the compliment.

Willow watches the nervous exchange between the couple and was thrilled at the hope that Buffy might win Angel's heart at last.

"So you will be attending Sunnydale High this year?" Angel asks.

"Yep, I’m afraid so." Buffy admitted.

"You don't sound so happy about the prospect." Angel frowns.

"Well, I liked my old school." Buffy explained with a bitter smile.

"Oh. Well, I hope you like it here too." Angel answered politely.

"Me too." Buffy shook her head in agreement.

Angel wondered if it was just him or if things felt awkward between them. Angel remembered the times that the two of them played together as far back as when they were both teething. Now, it felt as if they were meeting for the first time.

"I guess I better go. I have to meet my Dad for dinner." Angel explained as he smiled one more time before forcing himself to walk away from the beautiful blond.

"Hey, if you want you can stop by the house anytime. I know that my parents would love to see you again." Angel offered.

"Thanks, I will try." Buffy answered with a weak smile.

Buffy counted to ten and then finally let out a long deep breathe.

"That wasn't awkward much!" Willow teased.

"I hate the affect he has on me." Buffy growled.

"What affect would that be?" Willow giggled mischievously.

"You know the one where you go all giddy and stupid inside." Buffy answered with a disgusted groan.

"I guess you will always be in love with that boy." Willow announced.

"Love? I do not think the hormones coursing through my vein would be identified with the word love." Buffy snapped.

"Okay, then perhaps you will always lust him." Willow replied with a smug smile.

"Your horrible!" Buffy laughed as they started walking back toward her house.

Chapter 3

Buffy found out that Saturday nights in Sunnydale were pretty much the as before she left. The only difference was that now she got to go to the Bronze and got a later curfew. Buffy was thrilled when Willow suggested they go out tonight. Buffy had been stuck underneath her mother's rear end for nearly three days now. Buffy knew her mother was trying to bond with her but it was getting on her last nerves.

"Look, you girls be careful tonight. Please be home on time." Joyce's eyes pleaded with Buffy.

"We will." Buffy reach out and gave her mother a quick hug before she grabbed Willow's hand and yanked her out of the house.

"You know Buffy, your mother is pretty cool." Willow noted as they started down the steps.

"Sure she is, she isn't your mother." Buffy chuckled.

"NO, I’m serious. My mother wouldn't even care what time I came home." Willow replied.

"This is bad, how?" Buffy frowns at her.

"When parents give curfews that means they care about you." Willow pointed out.

"Wil, you have been watching one too many after school specials." Buffy teased her.

"Funny! So are you hoping to see Angel tonight?" Willow asks with a sheepish smile.

"Hello, earth to Willow! I'm not into him anymore. Besides he dated Cordelia." Buffy reminded her.

"So what? He has dated other girls too. Are you going to hold that against him as well? I mean, hello to you, but we here in public school do date." Willow reminded her.

"I know teenagers date. The point I'm making is that after dating Cordelia why would he look my way. I'm not saying that I am ugly by no means but lets face it guys that are attracted to Cordelia obviously need their heads checked." Buffy smiled.

"So you wore that hot out fit in hopes to meet any guy but Angel?" Willow ask.

Buffy looked down at the out fit she had chosen out of a hundred. Buffy was wearing a tight silver tank top with a pair of black leather pants. Buffy had tried a few attempts to fix her hair but gave it to just letting it flow down her back. Buffy wore her favorite black boots. Buffy wondered if she had gone to far with the look?

"I wanted to look...well... cool. It's been awhile since I have had a chance to dress up. Do you think I look slutty?" Buffy began to panic as they reach the corner of the street where the Bronze was located.

"No, you look hot! Just wish I had the nerve to wear such an out fit." Willow grinned.

"Okay now your really starting to scare me." Buffy cried out in despair.

"Come on, let’s go. You will be fine." Willow laughed at her sudden fashion attack. Willow had almost forgotten how self-conscience she could be about her clothes.

"Okay. But if I hear one bad remark we are out of there." Buffy warn her.

"Fair." Willow shook her head in agreement as they walk inside of the club.

The music was blaring a popular song.

"Wow! So this is what the inside of the Bronze looks like." Buffy was excited.

"Yep," Willow answered as she search the room for the small party she had invited to meet them that evening. After a few glances around she found the group she was looking for.

"Come on." Willow shouted as she pulled Buffy toward the corner of the room.

Buffy glances around at the unfamiliar faces that were hanging out or dancing. Buffy started to feel nervous as she began to worry that perhaps she should have went more conservative on her first night out on the town.

"Hey guys!" Willow called out to the small group at the table.

Buffy’s head whip around to see where Willow was leading her. Buffy felt her heart racing as she started to make out a familiar face or two sitting at the table.

"Buffy! Oh My God!" Xander Harris was the first to jump out from the booth and pull Buffy in a bear hug.

"Wow! You have gotten strong." Buffy moaned as his arms tighten around her.

"I can't believe that she agreed to come back to us." Xander teased her as he released her from his embrace but kept a tight hold on her hand.

"Well, I wouldn't use the word agreed." Willow warns them.

"Your Dad uh?" Xander ask as he look deep into the pair of green eyes that he had always dreamed of as far back as he could remember.

"Yeah!" Buffy agreed with a weak smile.

"Damn girl! I can't believe two years have transformed you into a hottie!" Charles Gunn walks up to his old friend and looked her up and down.

Buffy blush at the way he was openly judging her.

"What was I before I left dog food?" Buffy ask with a sarcastic smile.

"Please, you know as well as I you were not this hot! You have always been a beauty." Gunn answered with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Thank you Gunn." Buffy smiled back once she saw that he truly meant the compliment.

"Buffy I would like you to meet my friend Oz. Oz this is Buffy." Willow gulp hard as she struggled to remain calm around the young man who had stolen her heart.

"Nice to meet you Oz." Buffy smiled sweetly.

"It's nice to meet you as well. The gang here is always talking about the good old days and I can't recall a time that your name was not mention." Oz replied.

Buffy saw instantly why Willow was crazy about this red headed guy. Oz seemed really sweet and cool. Buffy hoped that Willow didn't waste too much time before letting Oz know how she felt.

"Buffy, this is Tara, Fred, and Reily." Willow finished making the introductions when Xander grabbed Buffy's hand and drags her to the dance floor.

"Xander! I'm not even sure I can dance anymore." Buffy confessed as the band played a fast song.

Buffy felt a slight anxiety attack coming when the band switches to a slow song.

Xander seem to smile from ear to ear when he realized this would mean he would get to hold Buffy in his arms. Xander wasn't sure if Buffy was aware of his life long crush and didn't care at this point. Xander had dreamed of the day he would get to dance with her at the Bronze.

Buffy relaxed in his arms and swayed with the rhythm of the music. Buffy was surprised at how well Xander danced. Buffy recalled the cute boy who was so clumsy and stuttered whenever he was near a girl.

"Wow, I'm impressed you dance so well." Buffy whispered in his ears as she wraps her arms around his neck.

"Thanks, you’re pretty good too." Xander replied as his heart did a flip-flop.

Willow watch her two best friends dancing together and feared that Xander's crush for Buffy had not faded. Which made Willow feel more confident that Buffy's crush for Angel had not faded as well?

Willow and Oz were just about to join the couple when she saw a familiar face staring at Buffy and Xander. Willow trembled when she saw the anger that flash across the beautiful face of Cordelia Chase.

Willow knew that once Cordelia saw Buffy was back she was sure to start problems for Buffy. Now watching from a distance she began to wonder why Cordelia was really so upset? It wasn't like Buffy was dancing with Angel. Then Willow caught a glimpse of Xander looking toward Cordelia. Was it possible what she just saw she asked herself? Why would Xander look at Cordelia that way? Why did Cordelia turn her head and walk away with a sad face? Willow made a mental note to talk to Xander later about what she just saw transpire between him and Cordelia.

Chpt. 4

Buffy was having a great time. Buffy couldn't remember when the last time she had even experience anything remotely fun.

"Buffy, would you like a drink?" Reily ask as they step off the dance floor.

"Sure, how about a coke." Buffy gave her order.

"Be right back." Reily left to get their drinks.

Buffy glances back at the dance floor that was starting to fill up again. Buffy smiled as she saw Willow and Xander dancing together. Buffy always thought that those two crazy friends of hers would find their way together. Buffy was a bit thrown to learn that Willow instead had the hots for someone else. Yet Buffy had to admit that Oz was pretty cool.

Reily returns with their drinks.

"Here you go." Reily handed her the coke.

"Mmmm...Thank you." Buffy moaned as she suck on the straw.

Reily watches as Buffy down half the coke in one swallow. Reily couldn't help but stare at her the entire evening. Reily had been out with some pretty girls in his time but none of them came off so real as Buffy. Reily liked her down to earth presentation. What he liked even more was the fact that she seemed to be genuine.

"So are you looking forward to going back to public school?" Reily ask her.

"Yes, and no." Buffy answered before taking another drink.

"I mean, it will be great to be with my friends but I hate all the politics of public school. You know the ones where you have the cool gang, the geeky gang, and of course the looser gang. You have to worry about what you wear, how you look, and of course who you sit by." Buffy rolled her eyes with disgust.

"Wow! You make it sound horrible." Reily smiled at her.

"Well, it is if you’re not cute and buff." Buffy pointed out his appearance.

"Thanks, I think." Reily blushes softly at the compliment.

"So tell me Reily what brought you to Sunnydale?" Buffy was curious about this newcomer. Buffy suspected that he was from some small town. Buffy had been impressed with his perfect behavior. Buffy also wondered why Willow had not mention this newbie to her.

"My parents died in a plane crash two years ago. I was left in the care of my Uncle. Well, my uncle decided it would be a good ideal to move away from the memories. So he landed a job here and of course I had to come too." Reily explained with a sad far away look in his eyes.

Buffy wished she had not asked. Buffy couldn't imagine what it would be like to loose both of her parents? Buffy just barely handle the divorce but to have to deal with their deaths, well she wasn't sure if she would be as strong in the situation.

"I'm so sorry Reily." Buffy squeezed his hand.

"Its okay. I mean it happen and with the help of my Uncle and tons of counseling I have learn to live with it." Reily explained as he smiled gently at her.

"Oh look, it seems our fearless leader has arrived." Reily announced as someone walked up to their table.

Buffy’s head whip around to see who that fearless leader might be, and wasn't surprised to see he was talking about Angel. What Buffy was surprised about was the fact that her hands started to shake the moment she saw him.

"Lets go say hi, I'm sure he would love to see you." Reily suggested as he took her hand and lead her back to the gang.

Buffy wanted the floor to open up and swallow her, right then and there. The last thing she wanted to do was see Angel again. Buffy knew her evening of fun and relaxation had to come to an end at one point or another she just had hoped it would last longer than it had.

Chpt. 5

"Angel! Dude I thought you were never going to leave your house!" Gun teased him about his solitary confinement since his break up with Cordelia.

"I told you that I would be here." Angel chuckled.

"Yeah, and lets see it's only eleven o'clock. What is it cool to be late now?" Gunn continue to tease his best friend.

"Funny!" Angel rolled his eyes with a playful grin on his face.

"Angel! Glad to see you made it." Reily announced as he walked up toward the gang.

"Hi Reily." Angel was saying as he turns to see that Reily was not alone. Angel was shock to see Buffy Summers holding hands with Reily. Angel was also amazed at how great she looked. Angel reminded him self that Buffy was always pretty but something about her look different tonight.

"Hey Buffy! See you were quickly brought back into the clutches of the gang." Angel smiled at her.

"Yeah, Willow told me this was the new thing now. No more ice skating or bowling." Buffy put on a disappointed smile causing him to laugh.

"Yeah, I'm sure you would rather be bowling than dancing." Angel replied.

"Actually it is something I would like to do again. It's been a long, long time since I beat your butt." Buffy reminded him of their competitiveness.

"I don't know if you could still beat me anymore. I've actually become a frequent bowler this summer." Angel answered with a guilty smile.

"Dude, you mean to tell me you have been bowling all summer?" Gunn over heard the conversation.

"Yep!" Angel answered feeling a bit awkward at revealing where he had been hiding out.

"We got to get you a girl." Gunn shook his head disappointed at his friend’s behavior.

"What ever!" Angel laughed.

"So are you going to dance or what?" Willow asks as she walk up to them.

"Uh?" Both Buffy and Angel answered with a confused frown.

"I thought people came here to dance not sit around and talk all night." Willow teased them.

"Gunn, let's dance that is my favorite song!" Fred squealed as she ran up to grab her man's arm.

"What isn't your favorite song?" Gunn teased his girlfriend.

"Reily you owe me a dance." Willow yank Reily's arm leading him away from the couple. Willow knew that Reily would ask Buffy for a dance and she wanted to give Buffy and Angel time to themselves.

"When she did become so aggressive?" Buffy gasps at Willows backside.

"It would appear that a lot has changed since you been away." Angel answered.

Buffy looked into his eyes to try and understand the full depth of that statement.

"Would you care to dance?" Angel offered as he glanced at the gang on the dance floor.

"Sure." Buffy nodded her head as she felt a large lump grow in her throat.

"Cool." Angel exhaled deeply as they step up to the dance floor. The DJ turns to a Vertical Horizon song that Buffy loved. The only thing that bothered her was the fact that it was a slow song and that meant that she would have to touch Angel.

Angel noticed that Buffy seemed uncomfortable all of a sudden.

"You don't mind dancing with me to a slow song do you?" Angel asks with a worried frown.

"No, not at all." Buffy forced the words out although her heart was racing a million beats a second.

Angel smiled softly as he placed his hands on her hips. Buffy automatically put her hands on his shoulders. Both seemed to focus on not drawing the other one to close.

Buffy listen to the song as she tried to relax in Angels arms. Angel pulled her closer and Buffy didn't hesitate allowing him to do so. Buffy’s hands slid up around his neck as she felt her chest graze across his own.

Buffy nearly jump out of her skin as the tingling sensation began to course from his spine to her toes. Angel also felt the strange electrical sensations coursing through his veins. Angel wondered if it was due to not touching a girl in several months or if it was Buffy that was actually having this affect on him?

Buffy saw Willow grinning from ear to ear as she watch them dance. Buffy made a mental note to smack her across the head once they left for home.

"You dance great." Angel said as he tried to find something to say to her.

"You do too." Buffy return the compliment.

Angel around the dance floor and saw that several pairs of eyes were watching their every move? Angel wondered if it was due to the fact that she was the first girl he had danced with since the break up with Cordelia or if it was due to something else?

"Is it just me or are people staring at us?" Buffy ask.

Angel smiled down at her and then felt as if he had been hit hard in the gut. Angel wondered why he had never seen how green her eyes were or the beautiful golden color of her hair?

"Angel?" Buffy frowns up at him.

"Oh, I know I was thinking the same thing." Angel admitted.

"Is Cordelia here or something?" Buffy suspected that was the reason he came.

"I don't know." Angel shrugged his shoulders.

"Oh, I figured you were trying to make her jealous or something and everyone here knew it." Buffy confessed to her instant theory of the matter.

"I would never use a girl to make another girl jealous. I don't like mind games." Angel answered as he pulled her even closer.

"Me either." Buffy agreed with his philosophy.

"I'm glad your back." Angel said with a sincere look in his eyes.

"Why is that?'" Buffy ask curiously.

"I missed the nights we use to sit in your room and watch TV or swim in my pool for hours to see who could do the most laps. Remember that time we both did a hundred and then passed out on the side of the pool?" Angel laughed with the memory in his head.

"I remember almost doing a hundred and one but you pulled my leg causing me to collapse." Buffy reminded him.

"Oh yeah." Angel chuckled.

"You just couldn't stand the thought of a girl beating you in anything." Buffy stated.

"That is not true. I just didn't like you beating me." Angel pointed out.

The song had ended and they were both still dancing as they talk.

"Look at those two. The song has ended and they are still dancing." Willow pointed toward Angel and Buffy.

"Great! How much do you want to bet that this will be around town before morning." Xander sighed heavily.

"So what?" Gunn gave Xander a frown.

"So what? This means that Cordelia will hear of it and that means war for Buffy. Trust me you do not want to see those two at it." Xander shivered with fear.

"I think that Buffy can handle her own with Cordelia." Willow stated with a victorious smile plaster on her face.

"I'm sure she can but can Angel handle it?" Reily ask as he remembered how long it had taken Angel to accept the fact that he and Cordelia were not getting back together.

"I think you guys are getting ahead of yourselves. Sure, Buffy is fine, but who says she wants Angel? Not to mention the fact that Angel is not in any hurry to settle down again." Gunn explained.

"All I know is that those two use to be inseparable. They did everything together." Willow stated.

"Yeah, well so did we but you don't see me trying to put the moves on you." Xander teased Willow.

"That is different." Willow replied sadly.

"Why is it different?" Xander ask with a curious smile.

"Never mind." Willow shook her head and walks back to the table where Oz sat waiting for her.

Xander and Reily watch as Buffy and Angel continue to dance to the next song.

"I think he might really like her." Reily stated as he felt a minute of disappointment.

"Yeah, well she was never into Angel like that." Xander replied with a deep exhale.

"Maybe not before but things have changed in two years." Reily reminded him as he walk back to the table leaving Xander in his own thoughts.

Chpt. 6

Buffy and Angel got so engrossed in their childhood memories that they had nearly forgotten the fact that they were still on the dance floor until they heard the announcement that the club would be closing soon.

"Crap! What time is it?" Buffy began to panic as she realized that she had went past her curfew.

"It's almost midnight." Angel looked at his watch.

"Let me guess you’re late." Angel laughed.

"What is so funny about that?" Buffy snaps at him.

"Your always late Buffy. I can not ever remember any occasion that we shared that you were not late." Angel grins from ear to ear.

"OH!" Buffy playfully hit him in the arm as she went in search for Willow.

"Finally! I thought we would never see you guys again." Willow teased the approaching couple.

"I’m so late Willow!" Buffy grabbed Angel's arm and pointed at his watch.

"NO problem. I called your mom and told her that Angel showed up late and that we were all catching up." Willow smiled proudly.

"Willow, is always good at smoothing things over with the parentals." Xander stated.

"You make me sound like a geek." Willow squealed.

"You are a geek. But you’re the geek we love." Xander teased her.

"I hate him." Willow announced but then broke into a smile.

"Okay who needs a ride?" Gunn ask as he approached the group.

Everyone knew that he was in a hurry to spend time with Fred before he had to drop her off.

"We can walk." Angel offered.

"Are you sure?" Gunn looked at each of them.

"Yeah." They all shouted.

"Cool, see you guys on Monday." Gunn smiled wickedly as he put his arm around Fred and lead her out of the club.

"She seems real sweet." Buffy said as she watches the couple walk away.

"She is." Angel agreed.

"Willow you spending the night with me?" Buffy ask as they walk out of the club.

"You bet." Willow answered as she hooks her arm in Xanders.

"So Xander are you spending the night with me then?" Angel teased.

"Can I please?" Xander ask in a little boy tone.

"Okay, but no peeing in the bed."

Chpt. 7

Buffy stood in front of the mirror checking her appearance for the sixtieth time that morning. Buffy knew that the new out fit was cute but was still unsure if it was cool enough for her first real day of High School.

"Wow! You look great in that." Joyce exclaimed as she stood in the doorway watching her daughter nervously check her outfit for final approval.

"Are you sure?" Buffy ask with a nervous smile.

"I guess this is kinda new for you. I never thought about how much easier it was for you to wear Chadwick uniforms versus having to wear something in fashion." Joyce thought out loud at the possible reasons for Buffy to be unsure of herself all of a sudden.

"This is truly my first day at High School." Buffy announced to her mother.

"I remember that dreaded feeling." Joyce smiled fondly at her daughter.

"Does it get easier?" Buffy ask with a hopeful look.

"Yep! You will be fine. You are lucky enough to already belong to your own click." Joyce reminded her.

"True." Buffy sighed.

"Do you have your schedule?" Joyce started off the routine check list.

"Yes, I have lunch money, and my purse." Buffy pointed to darling little black purse her mother had bought her the day before while on their mother/daughter shopping spree.

"I think Willow is here." Joyce heard the doorbell ring.

"Good. I don't think I would have been able to go in that school by myself." Buffy cried out happily as she ran past her mother to greet her best friend.

"Wow! You always look fabulous." Willow cried out as Buffy flung the door open.

"So do you!" Buffy smiled from head to toe.

"Do you really think this is me?" Willow asks with a doubting smile.

"Yes," Buffy was glad that Willow had worn the outfit she had picked for her.

"Okay, but if I get any laughs I'm going straight home." Willow warns her.

Joyce wanted to check out the outfit that took them nearly three hours to carefully choose for Willow's first day back to school.

"Willow you look smashing." Joyce cried out.

"Thank you Mrs. Summers." Willow smiled proudly.

"You girls have a great day and remember everyone is as nervous as you are." Joyce gave them some advice as they headed out the door.

"Your Mom is so sweet." Willow said with envy clearly in her voice.

"She can be." Buffy agreed.

They had just turned the corner of their street when a black mustang pulls up next to them.

"Would you ladies care for a ride?" Angel greeted them.

Buffy nearly choked when she saw how well the car fit the man sitting by the steering wheel.

"Sure." Willow answered for them both as Buffy just gawked at Angel.

Willow forced Buffy to sit in the front by jumping in the back.

"You look great. So do you Willow!" Angel complimented the girls.

"You look gorgeous as always. You’re definitely going to make some girls cry today." Willow teased him.

"I should go home and change then." Angel replied.

"Why?" Buffy ask.

"I hate to make a girl cry. I would rather cause them happiness than tears." Angel replied with a serious expression.

Willow and Buffy burst into laughter.

"Hey, easy on the ego there." Willow chuckled.

They pulled up in the High School parking lot when Buffy began to feel her first true anxiety attack building up. Angel turns off the car and opens the door for Willow. When he saw that Buffy wasn't budging he began to worry.

"We have to go in the school in order to attend it." Angel reminded her.

"I..I..." Buffy felt like she was frozen in the seat.

"It's okay. We will help get you around today." Angel offered when he realized she was panicking.

"Thanks." Buffy moaned as Angel open her door.

Cordelia nearly fainted when she watch as Angel open the door for Buffy Summers. Cordelia had feared that things were going to be crazier than usual with Buffy's reappearance to Sunnydale but she didn't think it would start so soon.

Cordelia started to march toward the couple when she felt someone grab her by the arm and pull her behind a park vehicle.

"What the!" Cordelia snap as flip her head around to see whom the rude person was.

"Hey, watch the language. Ladies shouldn't talk like that." Xander teased her.

"What are you doing?" Cordelia cried out in a low whisper.

"Stopping you from making your first scene of the year." Xander glanced around the car to see Buffy and Angel walking toward the school.

"Why do you care?" Cordelia snap at him with fire burning in her eyes.

"Because Angel and Buffy happen to be two of my closest friends." Xander reminded her.

"Yeah, well you didn't seem to care about Angel a few months ago." Cordelia cluck her tongue as she stared straight in his eyes with an evil grin on her face.

"Lets try to forget about that. I have." Xander rolled his eyes with a disgusted smile but his heart was skipping a beat at the memory.

"Oh so you have already forgotten about it but yet you can't seem to quit calling my house looking for me?" Cordelia hissed.

"Look, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You know you haven't talked to me ever since. I was just worried about you." Xander's dark brown eyes soften.

"Really. I wish I could believe that you were worried about me and not your own ass." Cordelia relax slightly as she saw that she had hurt him.

"I do not know how many more times I can say that I did not plan for that to happen nor why it happen." Xander released her arm as he stared down at the pavement with guilty eyes.

"Xander, I didn't plan it either but....just stay out of my way. What I do is none of your business or concern." Cordelia had almost slip and showed him her weaker side but recovered quickly.

"Fine." Xander agreed with a stern smile as he walked away without saying another word.

Cordelia fought back the tears that threaten to slip out of her well made up eyes. Chpt. 8

The day rolled by pretty fast for Buffy. Between the constant changing of classes and taking small tours of the school she was relieved when the final bell rang.

"I see you made it through your first day." Reily found Buffy at her locker.

"Yeah, it was a miracle." Buffy exhaled deeply.

"I knew you could do it." Reily smiled at her.

"Thanks." Buffy shut her locker.

"So, how would you like to go for a coke or something?" Reily ask with a nervous twitch.

"I would love a cappuccino, actually." Buffy answered truthfully.

"Okay, whenever you are ready to go." Reily answered happily.

"Go? Where do you two think your going?" Willow asks with a hurtful expression.

"We were just going to get a cappuccino together." Buffy explained.

"Oh." Willow frown at them.

"You can come too." Reily offered politely.

"I don't know." Willow glance at Buffy for a sign if she needed assistance or not. Buffy didn't appear to be scared or panicking.

"Hey guys!" Angel called out as he walked up to the trio.

"Hey Angel." Reily produce a weak smile.

"Do you want me to give you guys a ride home?" Angel looks at the girls.

"Actually Reily has invited me to some well needed coffee." Buffy answered.

Willow caught the look that was exchanged between Angel and Reily.

"Oh, Willow do you need a ride then?" Angel asks as he force himself not to look at Buffy.

"No thanks. Reily offered for me to come along as well." Willow stated.

"You can come too." Reily offered. Reily sensed that having a moment alone with Buffy was going to be rare and hard with her friends constantly around.

"Sounds great." Angel answered. Both Willow and Reily were surprised by this agreement. Angel had been so out of the loop over the summer and rarely agreed to join them anymore.

"Come on Willow we will meet you there." Angel gave Reily the chance to be alone with Buffy long enough to get her to the coffee shop.

Reily was relieved to have at least ten minutes alone with her.

"See ya." Willow smiled wickedly toward Buffy as she left with Angel.

"You didn't have to invite the others." Buffy stated as they walk out of the school.

"I know. You know Buffy your friends are mine too. It's not like this is a date or anything." Reily pointed out.

Buffy wasn't sure if she was relieved by his last statement or hurt?

"I'm glad though to have a chance to be alone with you." Reily announced as he open the door to his jeep.

"Really why?" Buffy was curious.

"I was hoping to have the chance to formally ask you out on a real date this weekend." Reily confessed.

"Oh." Buffy replied.

"Is that a good "oh" or a bad "Oh"?" Reily chewed on his lip as he waited for an answer.

"Oh, as in Oh I didn't know." Buffy answered with a soft smile.

"So?" Reily felt the sweat roll down his back as she took a few minutes before answering him.

"I would like that." Buffy accepted.

"Great!" Reily let out of his held breathe.

They arrived at the coffee shop where Angel and Willow sat at a table waiting for their arrival.

Reily went to give their order as Buffy went to the table.

"So, give me all the details." Willow pleaded.

"What details?" Buffy ask with a playful smile.

Angel sat between them wondering if either of them remembered he was sitting there.

"What did he want?" Willow asks.

"He ask me out for this weekend." Buffy announced as she saw Angel flinch slightly.

"Are you okay?" Buffy turn her attention toward Angel.

"Yeah, I’m just cold." Angel lied as he sipped on his coffee.

"He must be wanting to take you to our welcome back school dance." Willow replied as she remembered the special event.

"He didn't mention the dance exactly but what ever floats his boat." Buffy shrug her shoulders.

"You don't seem too excited." Angel blurted out.

Both girls stared at him as if he grew a second head.

"You don't!" Angel replied softer.

"It's just that the whole dating thing is new to me." Buffy reminded him.

"WE have to go shopping for dresses. I have to pay someone to take me." Willow started to panic as she realized that she didn't have anyone to go with.

"I'm sure we can persuade Oz to take you." Buffy teased her.

"Yeah, this is a guy who talks to me but nothing else." Willow sighed heavily.

"Why haven't you told him that you are interested?" Angel asks with a curious smile.

"Because it is untraditional for a girl to tell the guy first. A guy chases the girl." Willow shook her head with disgust toward him.

"I know tons of girls who have approached me first." Angel stated with a big smile.

"Yeah, well I wouldn't call them all girls exactly." Willow laughed.

"Ouch!" Angel covered his wounded heart.

"Here you go Buffy." Reily handed her the caffeinated beverage as he sat down beside her.

"Thanks Reily." Buffy shivered.

"Are you cold?" Reily ask as he pulled off his letter jacket and placed it over her shoulders.

Angel was not sure why but at that precise moment he wanted to reach over and yank the jacket off of Buffy's slender shoulders. Angel knew that Reily was a great guy but for some reason he just didn't feel as if he was the right guy for Buffy. Angel half listen to the conversation going on around him while he tried to figure out why he was so upset that Reily and Buffy might become a couple?

Chapter 9

Cordelia waited at Angel's locker. Cordelia had gone over her rehearsed speech for a zillionth time. Cordelia wasn't about to come off needy or even desperate but she really needed Angel to take her to the dance. Sure, several guys had ask her but none of them had the class or clout that Angel had.

"Angel." Cordelia put on her prettiest smile for her ex boyfriend.

"Cordelia." Angel exhaled deeply as he continues to walk toward her although his head was screaming for him to run for his life.

"Hey, I was hurt when you didn't sit at our table for lunch this week." Cordelia said as she flips her hair back from her face.

"You’re telling me this now. Your a real piece of cake." Angel chuckled sarcastically as he shook his head in disbelief.

"Well, I wasn't about to walk up to your NEW little table with your FRIENDS and ask you to sit with me. I thought that if you really wanted to you would do it. You act as if we are not friends anymore." Cordelia exclaimed.

"Look, Cordy, you wanted this break. You got it. I say "Hi" when I see you walking down the hall or even in a class room but your not going to see me sitting anywhere near you’re little fan club or you." Angel snarled.

"Why do you have to be so mean?" Cordelia feigned a hurt expression.

"Mean? YOU of all people think I'm mean! Your joking right." Angel slams his locker shut.

"Look, I don't want to fight with you. I do how ever want us to be friends. I miss you." Cordelia batted her eyelashes.

Angel felt his heart weaken at her last statement.

"What do you want Cordelia?" Angel stared deep into her dark brown eyes. Angel knew that Cordelia was only nice when she wanted something. That would never change nor her cruel streak, Angel reminded him self.

"I was curious if you had a date for the dance?" Cordelia sighed with guilt.

"No, I was planning on going solo." Angel admitted.

"Well, I was asked by quite a few guys but I thought it would be fun to go with you." Cordelia confessed.

"Why would you want to go to the dance with an ex-boyfriend?" Angel frowns.

"Lets be honest with one another Angel. You and I are were friends before we ever became a couple. Why can't two old friends go to the dance together?" Cordelia hoped he would see it from her angle.

"Because we are a couple who has been in the spotlight for some time now. You have something up your sleeve. What is it?" Angel leans up against the locker as he waited for her answer.

"I want to go with you. Okay. I just don't feel anything for the guys who asked." Cordelia chewed on the inside of her jaw.

"What do you feel for me?" Angel asks with a curious smile.

"I'm not in love with you, Angel. I do how ever feel a connection with you. Perhaps it’s just a history we share but I really can be myself when I'm with you." Cordelia explained.

"I see. I will have to get back to you on this." Angel looked at his watch.

"The dance is tomorrow night. How soon can I expect an answer?" Cordelia cried out.

"I will call you tonight. I’m sure you have a back up." Angel chuckled as he left her with her mouth gaping wide open.

Angel saw Buffy and Willow waiting for him next to his car. Angel wondered what they would think if he told them about this little conversation he just shared with Cordelia? Angel wondered who would be more shocked or angry, Buffy or Willow? Angel decided he wouldn't tell them. Angel would just wait until tomorrow night when he walks into the dance with Cordelia by his side. Angel knew his friends would be shocked and perhaps fear he had fallen and hit his head. Angel laughed, as he knew it would be so worth seeing their expressions plus the fact that he wouldn't have to go alone after all.

Chapter 10

Buffy was hysterical by the time that Willow arrived.

"I can't do this! I just can't!" Buffy was ranting as she paced back and forth.

"Yes, you can. It is not all that bad." Willow fought the laughter that was threatening to burst free.

"Easy for you to say. You have been to tons of dances in the past two years." Buffy whimpered as she threw her self down on the bed with tears streaming down her face.

"You’re going to mess up your make up. Stop it!" Willow ordered.

"I don't care. I'm not going." Buffy moaned.

"Yes, you are." Willow walk to the bedside grabbing Buffy's hand and pulling her back up.

"We are going to take you back to the bathroom and get you dress. We have twenty minutes." Willow informed her as she push Buffy into the bathroom.

Twenty minutes later Joyce knocks on the door.

"Hey girls! Sorry I was running late but I...." Joyce stops in mid sentence as she stared at her daughter.

"What is wrong? I knew it Willow the hair up was a bad ideal." Buffy sobbed.

"NO! I love it. I was just surprised. You just look so much older." Joyce explained.

"Are you sure this dress is okay?" Buffy ask them both.

"I think the color is perfect and the style suits your body." Joyce answered with a big smile on her face.

"I agree with your mother." Willow nodded her head in agreement.

"I hope you both are right." Buffy warn them just as the door bell rang signaling that their dates had arrived.

"Here we go." Willow giggled nervously as she dragged Buffy down the stairs with her.

Buffy looked down at the simple black dress that had a long slit up the side. The top part wrap around her neck leaving her backside and shoulders completely exposed. Buffy's hair was pin on top of her head with cute little diamond pins. Willow had insisted she should wear the simple pair of diamond earrings her father had bought her.

Reily and Oz entered the Summers house and introduced themselves to Joyce just as the girls entered the living room. Both young men stood staring with their mouths hitting the floor beneath them.

"You...look...awesome." Oz stumbled with his words.

"Buffy, you look gorgeous." Reily exclaimed as he thrust the flower box toward her.

Buffy open the small box to find a beautiful corsage.

"I didn't get you one." Buffy nearly cried, as she was not informed of this ritual.

"You weren't supposed to. It's just a tradition we do at the first school dance. The guys get the girls corsages. Now when we go to the prom that is a different story." Reily explained with a nervous smile.

Buffy glance over to see Oz placing a red corsage on Willow's hand to match the red silk dress she has chosen.

"It's beautiful, thank you." Willow smiled proudly as she leant over and placed a polite kiss on Oz's cheek.

Buffy took that as a cue she was expected to do the same and placed a small kiss on Reily's cheek.

"Are you two ready?" Reily ask.

"You bet." Willow exclaimed.

"Wait I need to take a picture of you guys before you leave." Joyce came running around the corner with a camera.

Once the flash went off they were racing out the door.

"Are all of our school dances so formal?" Buffy ask the gang as they got in the vehicle.

"Nope, this is pretty much it until prom time." Reily answered.

"Good." Buffy sighed deeply.

The rest of the gang laughed, as they understood her fears and anxieties about the night’s events.

It only took a few minutes for them arrive at the school. Once they walked inside Buffy was starting to panic once again. Everyone was staring at one another. Buffy was quite aware that this was a social event which could make or break her. Although in Buffy's head she knew she didn't want everyone's approval, she did hope to make a good start of a new school year.

The school gym was decorated with the school colors as well as tons of balloons and candles. Buffy was amazed that this was the gym she was force to do a hundred sit ups in.

"It looks great doesn't it." Fred exclaimed as she approached them.

"It does. Great job Fred." Willow complimented Fred's hard work. Willow was amazed at the time Fred found to be on so many different committees and still have time for Gunn.

"Thanks." Fred blush.

"Who is playing again?" Oz asks Fred about the night’s source of entertainment.

"We decided to just hire a DJ so we could have a large selection of music." Fred answered with a nervous smile.

"Good ideal." Oz answered with a polite smile.

"Well, it would seem that the party is starting." Gunn announced as the DJ began to play music.

"Lets dance." Willow cried out happily as she grab Buffy's hand.

"Wow, Reily you out did yourself this year." Gunn smiled proudly at his friend.

"What do you mean?" Reily look at him with a confused smile.

"Buffy. She out does the girl you brought last year." Gunn laughed as he remembered Reily's mistake by allowing Angel to set him up with Harmony. Harmony was one of Cordelia's fan club.

"Please don't let me remember that night." Reily shivered with disgust.

"OH MY GOD!" Gunn exclaimed as he saw Angel walk in with his date on his arm.

"You got to be kidding me." Reily replied with a disappointed smile.

"I wasn't surprised in the least." Xander said as he walks up to the group.

"Why not?" Gunn whip his head around staring at Xander with a confuse stare.

"Cordelia obviously wants to stay in good graces with the school. She was even more popular when she dated such a popular and well-liked guy like Angel. Not that she plans on falling in love with him but she does plan on using him. I would bet my life on it." Xander shook his head in disgust.

"Why is he allowing her to do this? He knows her better than anyone." Gunn ask frustrated.

"Maybe he plans on using her as well." Reily suggested.

"Well, I just hope he is getting some for all the problems she creates." Gunn laughed.

The guys agreed as they watch as the entire school began to buzz about the arrival of Angel and Cordelia.

Chapter 11

It did not take long before the news had arrived to Buffy and Willows ears.

Buffy nearly drop her cup of punch when she over heard the gossip.

"I can't believe he is doing this again?" Willow tapped her feet nervously.

"I can. It makes sense. He is a man and he has needs." Buffy bit down on her tongue to fight back the tears that she could not explain.

"Yeah, well he is not getting those needs fulfilled by Cordelia. Trust me." Willow rolled her eyes.

"How would you know?" Buffy chuckled.

"We talk. Angel and I have gotten a tab bit closer since you left." Willow confessed.

"You mean...he talked to you about his sex life?" Buffy held her breathe.

"More like the lack of it." Willow revealed.

Buffy fought back the laughter that rumble in her throat.

"Okay, he isn't getting any from her then why is he with her exactly?" Buffy ask with a angry glare toward the couple.

"I don't know anymore." Willow admitted as she too glanced at the couple.

Buffy looks at Cordelia's dress. Cordelia had chosen a black dress as well. Except her dress was short, revealed more breast and less back than Buffy's. Buffy also noted that she had French braided her hair. Buffy swallow the massive lump that grew her in throat as she stared at Angel in his best black suit.

"He looks good though." Willow said for them both.

"When doesn't he?" Buffy ask sarcastically.

"When she is on his arm." Willow teased.

Both girls burst into laughter.

"Hi girls." Cordelia had caught sight of the duo by the punch bowl and made a point to go straight to them.

"Hello." Both said in union as they fought back the laughter.

"What is so funny?" Cordelia ask with a nervous smile.

"Just a joke between us." Willow answered with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

"Of course. Buffy you look.... nice." Cordelia said.

Buffy caught the weak attempt to her compliment.

"You look...nice too." Buffy repeated with the same tone.

"So who are you with?" Cordelia glanced around at the losers standing close by.

Buffy caught her direction toward the geek pool.

"I came with Reily." Buffy announced with an upward chin.

"Reily, uh. Not bad." Cordelia smiled weakly.

"So how did you manage to persuade Angel to bring you?" Willow asks with a curious smile.

"What makes you think I had to persuade him?" Cordelia snap.

"Well, I know he wasn't exactly planning on asking anyone." Willow informed her with a victorious smile.

"I hate to burst your bubble but we discussed it and both agreed to this decision." Cordelia lick her dry lips.

"How is everyone doing over here?" Angel had caught site of the three girls in the corner and from the angry glares being exchanged between Willow and Cordelia he knew he had to rush over. Angel knew how much Willow loathed Cordelia and the feelings were mutual.

"Fine." They all chimed.

"Good. How about I steal Buffy from you guys for a second." Angel surprised him self by choosing Buffy instead of Cordelia.

Buffy was dumbfounded by his choice as he pulled her out from between Willow and Cordelia and led her to the dance floor.

"What are you doing?" Buffy ask him frantically as she kept glancing back toward Willow and Cordelia.

"I was thinking we might share a dance before Reily keeps you to himself all night." Angel stated.

"No, I mean why did you just do that? You know that this will piss Cordelia off." Buffy’s eyes glared with anger.

"I'm sorry. If you want I can take you back there." Angel glances over at the two girls who were still fuming toward one another.

"NO! I mean, it's too late now." Buffy sighed.

"You look beautiful tonight." Angel informed her as his eyes glanced her from head to toe.

"Th..ank you." Buffy gulped hard as she noticed the way his eyes seem to soften as they came up from her body back to her face.

"Your welcome. I'm sorry if you think I'm trying to cause problems between you and Cordelia but trust me we did not come to this dance as a couple. We are just friends, like you and me." Angel explained.

Buffy wondered why it bothered her that he saw her as just a friend as usual? Buffy knew Angel would never see her more than the girl down the road. Yet as Buffy felt his warm hands around her waist she couldn't help but long for him to touch her in away she had never experienced.

"Are you okay?" Angel noted the far away look that had passed through her eyes.

"Sure." Buffy took a deep breath as she force her hormones to stay in check.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" Angel asks curiously.

"I plan on sleeping in late and after that nothing." Buffy answered.

"How about I come over and we watch movies together." Angel offered.

"I..guess that would be okay." Buffy frowns up at him.

"I just thought it would be nice to catch up. This way we would be alone." Angel explained.

Angel watch as she licks her lips nervously. Angel felt his pants tighten at the sight.

"Why do we have to be alone?" Buffy felt her heart racing.

"We always have people around and there are things I want to know about you. We spent our entire lives together up until you left two years ago. I want to get to know the new you." Angel answered.

"The NEW me?" Buffy ask.

"Yeah, your not the same girl you once were. I can see it your eyes, in your body language and even in your voice." Angel replied.

"Sure, what ever." Buffy agreed to the date.

"Well, it looks like Reily is heading this way so I will let you go have fun with your date." Angel released her waist as the song ended.

"Thanks." Buffy felt her hands trembling as he smiled tenderly at her.

"I thought he was going to keep you all night." Reily said as he approached her.

"Are you kidding, he has Cordelia to entertain." Buffy rolled her eyes.

"True. That is a job that could last a life time." Reily joked.

"So do you care for another dance but this time with your date?" Reily ask.

"Of course I would." Buffy happily agreed while she watch Angel from a far for the rest of the evening.

Chapter 12

The next day arrived and Angel showed up at Buffy's door just as he said he would. Buffy had debated all morning on whether she should make some excuse to keep him away from her? When the doorbell rang and she answered it she knew there was no way she could turn him away. Not now nor ever her heart screamed.

Angel had brought over a few movies he bought over the summer and Buffy went to make popcorn and cokes. When she returns he was sitting on the couch with his shoes off. Buffy wanted to giggle at the sight of him sitting Indian style, so relaxed and comfortable.

"Here you go." Buffy handed him the soda as she sat down next to him putting the large bowl of popcorn in between them.

"Did you have a good time last night? I mean with Reily and all?" Angel asks as he kept his eyes toward the television screen.

"It was fun." Buffy answered as she dug her hand into the popcorn bowel.

"Just fun or really great fun?" Angel asks curiously.

"I guess it was really great fun considering it was my first high school dance. How about you? Did you and Cordelia have a nice evening together afterwards?" Buffy ask with a sarcastic smile.

"Look, Buffy, the thing is that I had really liked Cordelia when we first started dating. I was so in awe that she actually liked ME. I was so blind by that, which I didn't see what she was really like. Then when I saw how she was pulling me away from my friends and more into her own world, I started to grow bored with her. Then she decided that she was bored with me as well." Angel shrugs his shoulders as he pick up his coke and took a long swig.

"So it was a mutual break up?" Buffy turns toward him so she could see his emotions.

"Pretty much. I mean, I wasn't sure if I wanted to break up entirely but she informed me that she wanted to go out with older guys because they were more mature. It hurt my ego. I think my pride was more injured than my heart with the break up." Angel explained out loud for the first time.

Angel had not been able to tell his other friends why the break up had took so much out of him. Angel knew that they assumed he was madly in love with the ice princess but that was far from the truth. Angel cared for Cordelia but he would never look back at her as his first love.

"I see." Buffy gulped hard when she thought about how that made more sense.

"Why did dating Cordelia make you feel so.... proud?" Buffy ask with a curious frown.

"Buffy, it wasn't that I was proud it was just...I was not as ordinary. Lets face it Cordelia doesn't date too many guys. Her standards are quite high. For Cordelia Chase to actually chase ME was the winning factor. Sure she comes off as a cold selfish bitch but guys still want her. To know that I was dating a girl that more than half the school wanted was sorta like winning the lottery." Angel answered.

"That is so pathetic." Buffy cried out in disgust.

"Why?" Angel asks defensively.

"Because you guys just look at the outward appearance. I mean there is a thing called inner beauty. What if we only dated guys with good looks? Half the population of men would be quite lonely, don't you think? I just can't see how a girl like Cordelia could be considered a hottie just cause she has a nice body, when she treats everyone like dogs!" Buffy explained.

Angel wondered why Cordelia and Buffy hated each other so much? Angel remembered a time when they actually played together. What had changed between these two girls to cause them to compete so severely with one another?

"I know that Buffy. I agree with you. However you have to remember we are raging hormonal guys. We are not the smartest creatures on earth." Angel answered with a weak smile.

"I'm sorry, I just think it’s stupid and cruel. I'm sorry." Buffy sighed heavily as she told herself to stay calm.

"You have a right to feel the way you do. You know you women aren't exactly the easiest creatures to understand. I know guys are not perfect but neither are you women." Angel teased her.

"I.... yeah, well, we might not be easy to understand but at least were more honest with our feelings." Buffy crack a smile.

"If your truly honest then tell me how you feel about Reily?" Angel finally found the courage to ask a question that had been on his mind all week.

"What do you mean exactly?" Buffy choked on her coke.

"What are your plans? I mean, do you like him? Do you want him to be your boyfriend?" Angel put the popcorn bowel on the table.

"I don't know! I barely know him." Buffy blushed.

"Can you see you two as a couple?" Angel ask.

"Angel, why are you asking me this?" Buffy ask with an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"I know it’s none of my business but I'm just curious. I like Reily and he is a good friend. I've known you for as long as I can remember and we are good friends. So, I guess I'm just curious if two of my friends are going to hook or not?" Angel hoped his answer sounded honest enough for her.

"I honestly don't know at this point. I like him. I had a great time with him. I had no plans of yet about a future with Reily or anyone for that matter." Buffy answered as honestly as she could.

"I was just thinking that you might want to date other people before you settled down." Angel suggested.

"Why?" Buffy ask with a surprise smile.

"Well, you haven't had a chance to date many people and you should see what it is your really longing for rather than taking the first guy who offers himself." Angel answered.

"I don't exactly see guys lining up out my front door. I mean, I don't see too many guys who would be even interested in me nor I would be interested in them." Buffy chuckled.

"What are you looking for?" Angel scooted closer to her.

Buffy sat quietly for a second contemplating how to answer that question without sounding too corny.

"I want a guy who is understanding, romantic, funny, and of course is cute. Not that he has to be drop dead gorgeous but cute in away that makes my heart flutter. I want a guy who knows the real me and likes her. I want someone who will support me in my decisions as well as let me help him as well. I guess I just want a prince charming." Buffy’s eyes sparkled as she describes her perfect man.

"Wow! You really want a extraordinary guy!" Angel gulps hard.

"Yeah, well as long as he respects me and treats me good I can accept his flaws." Buffy smiled sweetly.

"Sounds like you have high expectations." Angel whistled.

"No, I just want someone to love me completely." Buffy replied.

"Sounds fair." Angel smiled back at her.

"What about you?" Buffy push a loose piece of hair away from her face.

"I don't have a clue." Angel sighed.

"That is so not fair. I told you, you need to tell me." Buffy punch him playfully on the arm.

"I'm serious. I know I want a girl that likes me for who I am and not what she wants me to be. I know that I want a girl who is easy going, funny, and down to earth. That is about it." Angel answered.

"Pretty short list." Buffy pointed out.

"I’m easy to please." Angel shrugs his shoulders with a wide grin.

Buffy began to laugh as she remembered a child hood memory when Angel pouted for days when he didn't get a gift for Christmas that he had wrote on his list. Angel's mother had ended up giving in and bought the toy for him. Angel got what he wanted but then was upset because it had not come from Santa. Buffy remembered how his mother nearly beat him red and blue for being so ungrateful.

"What are you laughing at?" Angel smiled.

"Just remembering a time when you were not so easy to please." Buffy answered in between laughter.

"I fear to hear that memory." Angel stood up.

"Where are you going?" Buffy giggled.

"I need to go to the bath room." Angel shook his head at her behavior as he left for the bathroom.

Just as he was out of sight the phone rang next to Buffy. Buffy answered the phone.

"Hello." Buffy’s voice was filled with happiness.

"Hi, Buffy, it's me Reily." Reily answered.

Buffy’s smile faded slightly from her face. Buffy liked Reily but was starting to wonder if Reily had put Angel up to all the questions about her feelings for him.

"Hey Reily!" Buffy force her self to sound more cheerful than she felt talking to him.

"I was wondering if you would like to do something this afternoon?" Reily ask.

"I...I.." Buffy debated on whether to tell him that she already had plans with Angel?

"Hey Buffy can I get me another coke?" Angel shouted as he entered the room.

Angel saw that she was on the phone and froze.

"Actually I already have plans at the moment." Buffy answered politely.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize that you had a date already." Reily answered with a painful tone.

"Its not a date. I am just watching some movies with a friend." Buffy answered quickly.

"Oh, and that friend would be? I'm sorry Buffy it's none of my business." Reily stop himself from sounding noisy or jealous.

"It's just Angel. We are just watching some movies and catching up on the last two years." Buffy wondered why she explained whom she was with.

"Sounds cool. Well, I will just catch you tomorrow at school." Reily replied nicely.

"Sounds like a plan." Buffy agreed.

"Bye." Reily ended.

"Bye." Buffy repeated as she hung up the phone.

Angel stared at the floor with his hands in his pockets.

"It was Reily." Buffy explained.

"I figured as much." Angel’s head pop up.

"Are you okay?" Buffy ask.

"Yeah, I mean why should it bother me that he calls you?" Angel ask.

"I guess it shouldn't." Buffy agreed.

"Well, I'm going to go get another coke do you want another one?" Angel asks politely.

"Sure." Buffy agreed.

Angel watch as he headed toward the kitchen. Buffy wondered if she had imagined the look of jealousy in his eyes when he heard her talking to Reily? Buffy told herself to stay calm and remember he only saw her as a little sister type and nothing more.

Angel walked into the kitchen and opens the fridge. Grabbing two cokes he ask himself why he was bothered with the call? Angel knew deep down that Reily would be a great boyfriend for Buffy. Yet Angel noted how she had turn Reily down to spend the rest of the afternoon with him. Was it possible that Buffy might see him as more than just a friend? Did he want to hope for that fantasy? Angel shook his head and told him self to stay calm. Buffy was a great girl and he would never want to do anything to hurt their friendship. Dating one another might not be the right course for them. Angel saw her watching the show and felt his heart race as she began to wrap a piece of hair around her finger. How many times had he seen her do that when she was upset? Which brought the final question, why was she so upset?

Chapter 13

"So you spent all afternoon with Angel?" Willow asks.

"Well, for at least four hours." Buffy answered with a smug smile.

"Okay, so when did you dump Reily for Angel?" Willow smiled back.

"I didn't dump Reily for Angel. Because I’m not even Reily's girlfriend or Angels for that matter." Buffy rolled her eyes playfully at her best friend.

"So you had a good time, right." Willow ask.

"Yes, I did. We just sat and watch movies then we talked a bit. Not about anything romantic." Buffy answered.

"What did Reily think about your date with Angel?" Willow remembered that Reily had called Buffy.

"It wasn't a date!" Buffy sighed with a weak smile.

"What ever!" Willow squealed with happiness.

"There is my two lovely ladies." Xander push the girls apart so he could sit in between them.

"What are you doing?" Willow asks as she picks up her yogurt to eat before their lunch period was over.

"I am trying to look cool and hot sitting between two gorgeous women like you." Xander answered with a goofy smile.

"You are crazy!" Buffy laughed.

"Now that is a theory I can prove." Angel said as he walk up the table.

"I was wondering where you girls were?" Gunn sat next to Angel.

"Well, I guess we have been found Willow." Buffy giggled.

Angel had been searching the entire lunchroom for the girls, when he remembered that Buffy preferred sitting outside when the weather permitted it.

"You guys didn't want privacy did you?" Xander ask.

"Nah!" Willow laughed.

"So what’s the juice ladies?" Gunn ask as he pick up his taco and began to eat like a starving man.

"The juice?" Buffy frowns around the table.

"Gossip. Gunn believes that if there is ever anything we need to know all we had to do is ask girls. He thinks that is all they do is talk to one another." Angel explained.

"It's true, women do tend to talk." Willow didn't argue with the boy’s theory.

"Guys talk too, they just try not to talk about anything personal." Xander pointed out.

"Anyway, did you guys hear about the BIG party happening next weekend?" Gunn ask as he wipes his mouth.

"Which one?" Xander ask as if he had been invited to many of them.

"Bruce Maxx is back in town. It seems that Harvard was just too much for him. He is going to attend our local college. While he stays in his Aunts mansion while she is on tour in Europe." Gunn informed them.

"Bruce Maxx?" Buffy wasn't aware of the name or person.

"Bruce was a senior our freshman year. You were nobody if you didn't go to Bruce's parties. He was cool." Willow explained.

"So what happens at these parties?" Buffy ask.

"Everything and anything is possible at his parties." Angel warn her.

"Who got invited to go?" Willow asks as she look around at the guys.

"Angel, of course. We all know how much Bruce admired Angels footballs skills." Gunn teased his best friend.

Everyone laughed except Buffy. Buffy noticed the slight blush on Angel's cheeks.

"What?" Buffy ask.

"Well, rumor has it that Bruce is BI. Yep, it seems that we all felt he had a crush on Angel." Xander answered with a burst of laughter.

"Its not true. Bruce and I use to practice a lot together and he did teach me quite a bit about the sport. Nothing more!" Angel rolled his eyes at the guys.

"Sure, dude." Gunn answered with a crooked smile.

"Shit! " Willow cried out as she heard the warning bell ring.

"Hello dirty sailor." Xander teased her.

"I forgot my English notebook at home." Willow explained with a frustrated sigh.

"I'm sure that Mr. White will excuse you. After all you are every teachers pet." Gunn pointed out as he got up.

"You sound jealous that you aren't one." Willow said as she threw away her yogurt.

"Hell NO! I don't want people thinking I’m all brainy and stuff." Gunn answered.

"Trust me there is no need to worry about that." Xander replied.

Gunn look at Angel and then back at Xander.

"Oh no you did not." Gunn darted out for Xander who was already half way in the building.

"Will those two ever grow up?" Willow laughed.

"Doubt it." Angel shook his head at both of his friend’s childish behavior.

"See you later willow." Buffy started toward the left wing of the school with Angel by her side.

Willow waved good-bye as she made a mental note to ask why Angel walked so closely to Buffy?

"Did you finish that work sheet for History?" Angel asks casually as they walk to class together.

"Yep, took me forever and I'm sure I got half of them wrong." Buffy admitted.

"Do you need me to come over this afternoon to help you?" Angel offered.

"Sure, if you don't mind." Buffy replied without hesitation.

"Not a bit." Angel smiled warmly at her.

Reily and Cordelia were heading to their chemistry class when they saw the smiles being exchanged between Angel and Buffy.

"I guess he has already beat you to blondie." Cordelia said out loud as Reily stood beside her.

"What are you talking about?" Reily frowns at the brunette.

"Buffy, Angel...childhood friends. They were destine to give love a chance. Those two." Cordelia

"I don't know what you’re talking about." Reily ignored the brunette’s usual barbs.

"Come on Reily, everyone knows you like Buffy. The problem is that she might not like you as much as she likes Angel. Trust me when I tell you that those two have so much heat between them they could explode Sunnydale with it." Cordelia chewed on her lower lip as she watch the stunning couple walk into class together.

Cordelia glance over to Reily who look quite upset.

"I don't mean to hurt you. I just thought someone should warn you." Cordelia explained with a pair of sympathetic eyes.

"It didn't stop you from going after Angel." Reily pointed out her past with the golden boy.

"Yeah, but I only got a chance once Buffy was out of the picture." Cordelia answered as she walk into class without another word said.

Reily sat in his seat and thought about his feelings toward Buffy. Reily liked her and he could sense great confusion and hurt in her. Reily understood those things and wondered if he should back off. Reily liked Buffy and Angel. Was it right for him to get in the middle of something that might happen? Reily shook his thoughts away as the teacher passed out the days pop quiz.

Chapter 14

Buffy swore under her breath as she walked into her house. Buffy knew that Joyce was not going to be pleased when she saw the grade she made on her history test. Buffy had tried really hard to pay attention to what she was studying the night before but Angels face kept popping up in her head. Buffy knew that he had offered to help her with her studies but at the last minute she changed her mind. Buffy began to think about how having Angel in her room, studying, might not be such a smart thing.

Plus, people were already starting to gossip about the two of them. Buffy wasn't sure where they were getting such crazy ideals from? Buffy looked around the house and found it to be empty. Buffy headed to the kitchen where she found the note stuck to the fridge.

"Buffy, I had to run to LA for a last minute shipment. I left you some money in my desk. Please, remember, if you go out tonight to come home on time. I should be home before you go to bed. Love Mom."

Buffy was relieved that her grounding wouldn't start until after she went out tonight. Buffy giggled with happiness as she ran upstairs to her room. Throwing open her closet she began to plunge through her wardrobe for a cool outfit. The telephone rang while she mix matches her skirts and sweaters together.

"Hello." Buffy smiled as she stared at herself in the mirror.

"Hey Buffy, I was wondering if you want me to pick you up?" Angel ask as he too was standing in front of his mirror placing different shirts in front of himself.

"Are you going to the Bronze tonight?" Buffy ask with a surprised frown.

"Of course." Angel laughed softly.

"Oh, well sure." Buffy chewed on her lower lip.

"Cool, see you in an hour." Angel replied as he hung up the phone.

Buffy stared at the last outfit she had picked. It wasn't bad but it wasn't too sweet either. Buffy smiled remembering the looks she got the day before when she wore her leather skirt to school. The boys were drooling. Buffy knew she shouldn't be so vain and shallow but it was nice for a change to have guys looking at her.

Buffy quickly got dressed. When she finished with her make up and hair she stared at herself for a brief second.

"Not bad Buffy." Buffy smiled softly at herself.

Buffy had decided to wear to her favorite leather pants with a black bra and a white silk shirt over it. Buffy had brush her hair out so that it fell down her back in wavy curls. Buffy knew she looked halfway decent.

The doorbell rang letting her know that her escort had arrived. Buffy grab some perfume spraying her before running down the stairs. Buffy flew the door open with a big smile on her face. The smile slipped as she stared at the unexpected visitor.

"What, that smile wasn't for me?" William McClain ask with a smirk plastered on his face.

"What are you doing here Will?" Buffy demanded as her heart raced with fear.

"I thought you might like to see you’re ex boyfriend. I thought you and I were meant to be together until the end of time." William quoted from one of her love letters that she had wrote to him while away.

"I quit writing you over a year ago. What would make you think that I wanted to see you now? Not to mention the fact that I have been home for several weeks now and I haven't called you. I would think that would be an enormous clue about how I felt about you." Buffy’s hands sat on her hips as she tap her boot on the floor.

William was amazed at how great she looked. William had always seen Buffy's inner beauty way before any of the other guys noticed it. William had been happy just sitting in a corner of a room watching her. Then out of now where she has approached him one evening and ask him to give her a ride home. William had been driving his motorcycle illegally of course and didn't think a girl like her would want to take the chance of getting caught. Yet she asks him for a ride.

William had been so stoked that a girl like her would even know his name. When he brought her home that night she had talked him into walking around the block a few times with her. It had appeared that her parents were fighting when they arrived and she didn't want to go inside to witness it. William had understood that pain. William's parents had fought horribly as well until his mother had died in a car accident.

"I guess that boarding school made you believe you were too good for the likes of me." William snarled as he caught a whiff of the expensive perfume she was wearing.

"Boarding school didn't have to show me what was wrong with you." Buffy smiled sarcastically.

"Buffy, why are you being so mean? I remember a girl that once purred whenever I was near her." William reminded her.

Buffy shivered as she remembered what she had did with him the night before she left for boarding school.

"Look, William, I do not mean to sound snobby but I’m not interested in you anymore." Buffy sighed as her face softens.

"Why not?" William gulped hard as he waited for a response from her.

"I’m just not. I really never was. I ...I..was going through a hard time in my life and I acted rebelliously to piss my parents off. I’m sorry." Buffy explained with an apologetic smile.

"So your telling me that the kisses, the rubbing, and among other things had nothing to do with the fact that you might have liked me." William asks with a painful expression.

"Exactly. I liked you but I wasn't in love with you." Buffy answered.

"So you used me to piss them off enough to allow you to leave." William stated as it dawned on him why she had chosen him out of all the guys at the party that night.

"Yes, IM sorry William." Buffy reach out to touch him but William pulled away.

"NO! Im sorry Buffy. IM sorry that I thought you were better than the other girls. IM sorry that I thought you might have a heart in that chest of yours." William fought back the tears that threaten to spill out of his eyes as he took a step back.

"Will, please don't be mad at me. I was confused and angry at that time in my life." Buffy tried to persuade him to see why she had did such a cruel thing to him.

"Selfish. That is what you were and always will be." Williams’s eyes showed the rage he felt toward her.

"No, William, I’m not like that anymore. I swear. Can we just be friends?" Buffy hoped to calm him down.

"I don't need friends like you." William snap as he turn and storm out of the house.

Buffy watch as he jump on his motorcycle and flew out of her driveway.

Buffy's hands shook nervously as she felt tears spring into her eyes. Buffy knew that running into William was a possibility. Buffy had not expected to see so much in his face when she announced the truth behind their sick relationship. Buffy then reminded herself that they never had a relationship just a few make out sessions. How ever Buffy knew that William was not the kind of guy that her friends would hang out and that she would have to put a quick stop to any form of contact with him.

Buffy wiped away the single tear as Angel walked up to the door.

"Hey! Your anxious." Angel teased as he steps in the open doorway.

"Yeah," Buffy swallowed back the pain as she gave him a weak smile.

"Was that William McClain that just left here?" Angel ask with a curious look.

"Yes," Buffy nodded her head in agreement as she wrapped her arms around her chest.

"Why?" Angel asks with a nervous glance around the house and then back at her.

"Because.... well...he just wanted to say hi. He heard I had moved back to town." Buffy spoke slowly.

"Okay, when did you two become such good friends?" Angel ask.

"I think it was around the time that you had joined the football team and was constantly invited to all the popular parties." Buffy snapped.

"Oh." Angel sensed that she was upset and thought it would be best to let the subject of William go for the moment.

"Are you ready to go then? You look gorgeous." Angel whistle.

"Thank you and yes lets go." Buffy yank her jacket up from the couch.

Buffy and Angel rode to the club. Angel was curious at why Buffy would have associated herself with a guy like William but knew that this evening was not the right opportunity to speak to her about it.

Chapter 15

Willow wondered what was bothering Buffy? Willow watch as Buffy danced with nearly every guy in the club. Willow also noted how Angel didn't seem to please with her behavior.

"What's wrong doll?" Oz asks as he watch Willow frowning.

"I’m worried about Buffy. She seems to be having too much fun." Willow replied.

"This is bad, how?" Oz teased her.

"She seems to be too flirty. Buffy is not usually this forward. At least not with twenty guys. I mean, hell....I don't know." Willow sighed heavily.

"Its cool to worry about her. I agree she is acting a bit strange." Oz took Willow's hand as he led her to the dance floor.

"Should I say something?" Willow asks weakly.

"I would wait." Oz suggested.

"Your right." Willow smiled brightly.

Oz and Willow began to dance while Buffy unaware of the strange looks coming from all her friends continue to dance as if it was her last night out.

"Dude, you look bad." Gunn nudged Angel whose eyes had been glued to Buffy all evening.

"Uh?" Angel grunted.

"Several girls have checked you out and hell half of them have ask you to dance and you have turn them all down. What's up?" Gunn ask.

"Look at her. Something is wrong." Angel’s eyes never left Buffy.

"Yeah, I have to agree. She is having a kick ass time. You better get out there and stop it before it gets out of control." Gunn chuckled.

"I’m serious. Buffy doesn't behave like that." Angel replied with a worried face.

"Angel, she just got home from boarding school where there was only girls. I would flirt my ass off too." Gunn reminded him of the lack of boys in Buffy's life over the past two years.

"I know. I just...I just feel it." Angel tried to explain about the gut wrenching feeling that had been stirring all night.

"Well, I think they are all hoping to feel it as well." Gunn teased as the guys were trying to rub up against Buffy’s hard body.

"I can't stand it anymore." Angel groan as he jump off the stool and marches to where Buffy was dancing.

"Excuse me guys." Angel grabs Buffy and began pulling her off the dance floor.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Buffy demanded as Angel had her half way out of the club.

"Me? What's wrong with you?" Angel ordered with a pissed off face.

"Nothing. I’m having fun. What is your deal?" Buffy cried out as she yanks her hand from his tight grip.

"Buffy, its me Angel. I think I know you a bit better than anyone else here. Something is causing you to act so bizarre." Angel explained.

"Bizarre? I just wanted to dance. These guys want to dance. What is so wrong with that?" Buffy ask as she pointed toward the guys who look disappointed that their dance partner was yank away.

"Buffy, your nearly having an orgy out there. Come on, what is bothering you?" Angel pleaded with her.

"NOTHING!" Buffy shouted as she turns on her heel and began to walk back to the dance floor.

Angel jump in front of her putting his hands on her shoulders.

"Then you will dance with me. Me only." Angel commanded.

"What?" Buffy sighed heavily.

"You heard me." Angel said firmly.

"What ever!" Buffy rolled her eyes as she followed him up to the dance floor.

Guys began to draw toward her but when they saw the possessive look coming from Angel they decided to back off. Buffy watch as they gave in to Angels domineering look. Buffy wanted to slap him silly but on the other hand she was turn on that Angel was acting so possessive over her.

"We will talk about this later." Angel said as he pulled her closer to him as they slow dance.

Buffy closed her eyes and allowed her self to enjoy the feeling of Angel's arms holding her so tightly. Buffy wished that Angel were acting out of jealous rather than concern.

William sat in the shadows of the club watching as Buffy behaved oddly. Even William knew something was bothering the golden hair girl. William wondered if she had really changed or if she was upset about their earlier conversation? William watch with rage as Angel began to boss Buffy around and then took her to the dance floor where only he was allowed to dance with her. William wondered if the all American boy next door had finally open his eyes and saw the way that Buffy adored him? William also wondered if Buffy and Angel was an item now? Either way he had plans to either win her back or make her suffer like he had.

Chapter 16

"Oz and I can give you a ride home." Willow suggested as Buffy glared across the table at Angel.

Willow would have normally found this scene hilarious except that she suspected that there was something bothering Buffy. Willow tried to find at least five minutes alone with her but Angel was glued to her side.

"Thanks." Buffy grab her coat and jump out of the chair.

"Thanks, but I will take her home." Angel said as he stood up too.

"Hello? Who died and left you my father?" Buffy growled between gritted teeth.

"NO one did but I brought you and damn it Im taking you home." Angel growled back.

"Woah! What is up with you two?" Willow ask with concern toward both of her friends.

"Nothing, Wil." Buffy blush slightly as she realized that she had been rather rude toward her best friend.

"Obviously something is wrong." Willow shook her head in disbelief.

"Call me later." Buffy offered giving Angel a "Go to hell" look before walking away.

"Angel, what ever is going on between the two of you, I would like to suggest you go easy on her. She is not in the mood for your righteous act." Willow hated to hurt his feelings but she felt she needed to be honest with her advice.

"I will call you later so you can explain why you used that adjective toward me." Angel flash her a weak smile before replacing it with a frown as he storm out of the club.

Buffy waited for Angel to unlock her door and slip inside of the car. Buffy refused to speak to Angel as they drove toward her house.

"What is your deal? Don't give me that bullshit that nothing is bothering you. I know that for the last week or so you have been doing great and then out of the blue your acting all pissy and flirty. So please, as a friend be honest with me." Angel pleaded as he park the car at the park rather than driving them straight home.

"What do you want me to say to you?" Buffy’s head whip around, her eyes glared angrily toward him.

"I want you to tell me why you are really so angry." Angel replied as he exhaled deeply.

"Angel, I’m just trying to adjust. Okay." Buffy answered.

"You adjusted perfectly fine. Give me another reason." Angel grip the steering wheel as he kept his eyes forward.

"I am tired. I do not want to do this." Buffy groan as she lean her head against the cold window.

"Well, tough." Angel snap back at her.

"Your acting like a drill sergeant. I don't owe you any explanation for my behavior tonight." Buffy spoke softly keeping her eyes diverted from his soft eyes.

"Your right. You don't. I just thought we were close enough that you would let me help you." Angel answered with a bitter laugh.

"Maybe I don't want you as a friend anymore. Did you ever consider that?" Buffy glanced at him briefly before turning away. Buffy bit down on the inside of her cheek to prevent herself from saying more than she wanted.

"What? What have I done to upset you?" Angel cried out.

"Nothing, nothing." Buffy sighed heavily.

"Then why are you breaking up with me?" Angel asks defensively.

Buffy’s head whipped around with a shock expression a crossed it.

Angel replayed his last statement in his head and realized how strange that had sounded even to him self.

"I mean, why are you ending our friendship." Angel choked.

"Angel, you have been a great friend. Don't you think you should be taking out dates on Friday nights not friends." Buffy ask with a painful smile.

"I don't want a date. I wanted to spend time with you." Angel answered honestly.

"Yeah, well I would preferred a date over a friend." Buffy rolled her eyes.

"Why didn't you invited Reily then? He is after all the kind of guy you want to date right?" Angel asks with a sarcastic tone.

"If I wanted Reily for a date then I would have called him." Buffy replied with a smirk.

"Then why did you come with me?" Angel ask with a soft frown on his face.

"I..I..don't know." Buffy threw her hands in her lap with a defeated gesture.

"Do you really want to end our friendship?" Angel reach out and took her hand in his.

Buffy took a few deep breathes before pulling her head to look at him. Angel felt his heart break as he saw the tears in her eyes. Angel was confused what had happen in just a few hours to cause her to want to break their bond.

"Maybe it would be for the best. At least for the time being." Buffy answered as a single tear slid down her face.

"Why?" Angels voice crackled.

"Cause sometimes it is hard to be around you." Buffy half lied.

"How?" Angel asks softly.

"If you don't get it then ....then ...its just too much right now." Buffy forced herself to keep silent about her true feelings toward the man next to her.

Angel entwined his fingers with hers as he felt his stomach sink at the thought of not being near her.

"I wish I could understand why you can't stand me?" Angel spoke with a shaky voice as he stared out the window.

"I care about you. Maybe too much." Buffy answered as she felt as if a knife was being twisted in the pit of her stomach.

"I’m not giving you up. I will give you time to get over what ever is bothering you." Angel decided as he released her hand from his.

"I don't think that is possible." Buffy sniffed.

"Well, we will see." Angel turns the car back on and drove her home.

Angel pulled up in the driveway and waited for her to get out.

"Angel, are you okay?" Buffy ask with genuine remorse.

"Sure. My best friend has just told me that being around me hurts her too much so she would rather not be a part of my life." Angel answered as he glance at her with unshed tears in his own eyes.

"You will survive." Buffy stated as she got out of the car.

Walking up to the house she force herself to look forward and not glance back. Buffy knew the moment she saw him she would break down and reveal her truest and deepest desire for him. She could not afford to let him see that side of her. She would fall a part if he admitted that friendship is all he ever wanted or needed from her. She had been rejected once before and refused to let herself have to endure the self-inflicted pain again.

Chapter 17

Buffy picked up the stuff animal and slung it across the room. Buffy began to pace back and forth as she struggled with her decision. Buffy knew that it was too late to take back the ugly words she had said to Angel. She closed her eyes tightly as the tears stung the back of her eyelids.

She turns on the radio and then open her bedroom window. Climbing out she sat on the ledge where she could look up at the sky while listening to the radio. Buffy wondered how things had gotten so crazy? What exactly had caused her to go off like that? So many questions, so many emotions. Buffy began to cry.

Buffy looked up at the stars and wondered if Angel would ever talk to her again? Buffy knew that she could have prevented this out burst of emotions if she had just been honest with Angel. How ever, Buffy could not stand the thought of rejection by him either. She was damn if she did tell him and damn if she did not. She just could not stand being near Angel without wanting so much more.

Buffy cried harder as she imagines what Monday would be like when they went back to school.

******************************************************

Angel lay across his bed staring up into the darkness. Angel was still dumbfounded by the entire night. Angel had always thought he and Buffy would be friends for life. They had grown up together and had endured everything life had thrown at them. Well, except her parent’s divorce. Angel had tried to help her but she had pushed him away. In fact she had ran away from all of them.

Angel reach over and turn on the radio. The silence was killing him. His body felt numb, like he had been told someone he loved had died. Angel was still in shock. Angel tried to pin point when the night had turn so ugly? What had he done to push her away from him? Sure, he acted a bit possessive but it was only out of concern. Surely, that was not enough of a reason to call it quits on a friendship of over fourteen years.

Angel listens as a song played and remembered the dance he had shared with Buffy. Angel felt his blood boil hot as he remembered the strange feeling that had course through him as he held Buffy close to him.

Was it possible that he had stronger feelings toward her? Did it show? Was he blind to how his body was reacting toward her? Angel sat up on the bed and recalled the way he had thought she smelled so heavenly. Why had he not paid attention to his strange thoughts these days?

Could it be possible that he was falling in love with her? Could that be why she was scared of him tonight?

Angel grabbed the phone and began to dial a number. He knew there was only one person who knew him well enough that would be honest with him. Maybe she would help him fill in the missing pieces. If not then he might have lost the closest and best friend he could possibly ever have.

Chpt. 18

"Angel, IM not sure what your asking me?" Willow frown as she sat on the front porch with him.

"Do you think that I ..well...that I've acted more like a boyfriend to Buffy than just a friend?" Angel ask with a nervous cough.

"I..well...no." Willow chewed on her lower lip.

"Have I acted strange around her?" Angel started to relax.

"Definitely weird." Willow shook her head in agreement.

"We broke up tonight." Angel explained as his head dropped.

"WHAT?" Willow shouted.

"Well, not like in a boyfriend, girlfriend kinda way as in she doesn't even want to be friends way." Angel explained with a weak smile.

"What happen?" Willow ask with a worried smile.

"I don't know. I mean I was taking her home and she just informed me that she thought we needed some time apart from one another." Angel answered.

"I see." Willow sighed heavily. Willow didn't like where this was leading. Willow knew more than she should. Willow also didn't want to be in the middle of this relationship. She could loose two of her best friends if she didn't watch herself.

"What do you mean?" Angel asks.

"I think that you two should sit down and talk about this. It sounds like to me that she is going through something right now and she doesn't want you to be involved in it. So, its not my place to say more than she wants me to say." Willow explained with a sad smile.

"So you know what is wrong with her?" Angel looked hopeful.

"Not exactly. I mean she hasn't confided in me but I think I might know." Willow answered.

"Why can you not tell me?" Angel asks with an angry glare.

"Because, its not my place Angel. What if I am wrong? You would go confront her with it and then she would not only be mad at you but me too." Willow pleaded.

"Your right." Angel sighed.

"How do you feel about her?" Willow asks.

"I love her." Angel answered honestly.

"Love her? Like I would want to kiss her silly love or she is the best little sister I could ever ask for?" Willow's heart skips a beat as she waited for his answer.

"I...I....I don't know, I just love her." Angel replied with a frustrated frown.

"Well, you might want to figure out how you feel about her. I have sensed that you have wanted to be more than friends with her. Am I wrong?" Willow chewed on the inside of her cheek.

"I have enjoyed being around her." Angel shrugged his shoulders.

"Were you not jealous when she went to the dance with Reily? Were you not jealous when those guys were surrounding her on the dance floor?" Willow asks softly.

"I wasn't jealous, just worried she was moving too fast." Angel exclaimed.

"Yeah," Willow giggled.

"Maybe I was jealous. A little. It's just that I had not seen her in so long and to have her back finally, I just didn't want to share her. Not yet anyway." Angel felt his lips form a smile as he heard what he had just said.

"What's wrong?" Willow asks.

"I guess you were right. I was and am jealous. I'm crazy about Buffy. I think that she is the most perfect girl I have ever met. I just never dreamed of seeing her as THE perfect girl for me." Angel explained as his true feelings started to sink in to his head and his heart.

"Do you think that Buffy is mad at me because of these feelings I have for her?" Angel asks with a panic stricken face.

"I honestly do not think she is aware of your true feelings. How could she unless you have told her?" Willow hinted.

"I never said anything remotely close about my true feelings for her. No, she is upset about something else. It probably has nothing do with me." Angel answered has his heart soar at the thought of confessing his feelings to her.

"You might be right. You won't know unless you go tell her." Willow encouraged.

"What if she rejects me?" Angel asks with true fear in his eyes.

"How will you know if you two have a chance together unless you try?" Willow answered.

"I won't." Angel said.

"Exactly. Now just remember that if she should not return your feelings then perhaps you can work on your friendship." Willow advised as she reaches out and gave Angel a big hug.

"Thanks Willow." Angel hugged her back.

"So when are you going over there?" Willow asks with a wicked smile.

"Maybe I should give her some time to cool down. I will go by tomorrow morning." Angel decided.

"Your a wise man Angel." Willow chuckled as she smiled brightly at him.

"I hope so." Angel smiled back.

Chapter 19

Buffy was debating on whether to go inside before she caught a cold when she saw a familiar face walking toward her house. Buffy frowned as she discovered she was correct on who the mystery man was.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Buffy ask with an angry glare as she stood up.

William looked up toward Buffy's window with a shock expression as he saw her standing above him.

"I was just in the neighborhood. Is it a crime to walk by here?" William snapped at her.

"It is when you don't live anywhere close to here." Buffy snapped back.

William chuckled as he started climbing up the tree.

"What are you doing!" Buffy cried out as she watched him climbing up toward her.

"I am climbing a bloody tree. What else would you call it?" William answered with a sarcastic laugh.

William climbs up on the ledge standing in front of her.

"Why are you up here?" Buffy's voice hissed with disgust.

"You looked a bit sad. I remember a time or two when I could help ease your pain." William replied with a crooked smile.

Buffy had a flashback of the two of them kissing and groping one another and felt her stomach roll over.

"That will never happen again!" Buffy said with pure disgust in her eyes.

"Okay, calm down. Hell, I figured we could talk at least. We did that too." William reminded her.

"I don't want to talk." Buffy answered as she sat back down.

"Really, then let me just sit by you. I don't have cooties." William rolled his eyes as he sat next to her.

"Seriously, what do you think you are accomplishing by trying to act like a friend to me?" Buffy ask him.

"I know I am beneath you and your little friends but I happen to...well...you know feel close to you. I mean, I did listen as you vented about your parents and their selfish attitudes." William answered as he stared up at the stars.

Buffy felt guilty as she remembered how William had always came running to her aid no matter what time of day or night she requested him. Buffy knew it was not all his fault for believing that they had shared something special between them. Except she had not return the feelings as immensely as he had felt. She also knew that in away she was the sick one for leading the poor guy on.

"Fine. You can sit by me but I’m not talking to you." Buffy said as she laid back and looked at the stars quietly as William did the same.

Neither said a word to the other. They just lay there wondering what was to become of their lives and who would they end up with in the end.

Chapter 20

Angel paced back and forth on the front porch of the Summers house trying to prepare a speech that would not make him sound so dumb or geeky. The door swung open catching him off guard.

"Angel what are you doing?" Joyce Summers ask with a weak smile.

"I'm sorry, I was just...well. I was just going to the ring the door bell when I began to wonder if you two slept in on Saturdays or if you were an early riser?" Angel answered as he fumbled nervously.

"I'm normally an early riser." Joyce laughed at the awkward teenage boy who had been on her porch for nearly twenty minutes before she could not stand it a second longer.

"Oh." Angel replied with a stupid expression on his face.

"Angel, did you come to see Buffy?" Joyce suggested.

"Oh, yeah." Angel laughed nervously.

"Well, she is not here. She got up early this morning and headed out. I’m not sure where she went. She is bad about not leaving notes for me." Joyce explained.

"Oh." Angel repeated for the third time.

"I can tell her you stopped by." Joyce offered.

"Okay, do that." Angel agreed as he walked away.

Angel wondered what had caused Buffy to get up before ten in the morning? Angel knew how much she loved to sleep in on weekends. He then wondered where did she go this early in the morning? Who was she with? Angel forced him self to stay calm and headed out to all the common places a teenage girl would go on a Saturday morning.

********************************************************************

Buffy rang the doorbell twice before someone answered the door.

"Hi, I’m Buffy Summers and I am here to see Cordelia." Buffy announced with a big smile.

"Are you kidding me?" The maid asks with an unpleasant expression.

"No, I’m quite not kidding." Buffy answered with a frown.

"She is not up at this time. In fact she won't wake up until noon." The maid answered.

"Is it possible for me to go up to her room. I really need to see her. Its very important." Buffy pleaded.

"NO, Ms. Chase does not like to be woke up. Trust me she would have me fired if I allowed you to go up." The maid answered with a softer expression on her face.

"Oh. Okay. Can you let her know that I came by and I really need to see her." Buffy ask.

"Sure." The maid agreed as she shut the door.

Buffy looked at her watch to see what time it was. Seeing how early it still was she headed to the coffee house. In her rush to make herself go do this horrible errand she didn't even have breakfast before she left.

Buffy walked into the diner and ordered herself a large coffee and a muffin as she sat down. Buffy began to consider what she was doing? How could she seriously expect Cordelia to be honest with her? Especially since Buffy was going to ask her some very private questions about Cordelia and Angel's relationship. Buffy had laid on her roof all night wondering what had Cordelia done to win Angels attention? Buffy just had to know.

The waitress came to her table and placed the order in front of her. She was just taking a bite into her muffin when she saw Angel walk into the diner. Buffy felt her heart race as she began to feel sheer panic at seeing him so soon after their break up.

"Buffy." Angel walked up to her with a soft smile.

Buffy wondered if she had been wrong about hurting his feelings with what she had done the night before.

"Angel." Buffy replied as she finished swallowing her mouthful of muffin.

Angel sat down across from her.

"Look, I came by your house this morning and your mother said you were out. I got lucky finding you here." Angel began just as the waitress came to back to the table to take his order.

"Anyway, I thought we should talk about what happen." Angel explained after the waitress walked away with his order.

"Look, I'm sorry for being so rude last night. I just was a bit...well...scared." Buffy explained as she sipped on the hot coffee.

"I know. I wanted to talk to you about those fears of yours. I think I know why you were so mad at me. I also want a chance to explain why I have been acting so weird lately." Angel informed her.

"Okay." Buffy licked her lips and sat up straight.

"Ever since you came back I was feeling a bit odd. I mean, I wasn't sure why whenever you were near me I felt like I should be protecting you. I know its silly but I did. I couldn't understand these uncontrollable urges. I also fear that I became jealous whenever other guys held your attention." Angel explained. Angel stopped while the waitress sat down his own cup of coffee in front of him.

"I know I sound a bit crazy at the moment but trust me it will make sense once I finish." Angel said.

Buffy took a bite of her muffin before it got too cold.

"What I am trying to say is that I think that my feelings have grew much deeper toward you. I ...love you." Angel gulped hard as his eyes embraced the green pair across the table from him.

Buffy inhaled deeply causing the piece of muffin to get stuck in her throat. Buffy began to gag.

"Buffy are you not going to say anything?" Angel asks with a hurt expression.

Buffy began to wave her hands as she fought for air.

"Oh my God, she is choking." The waitress cried out as she noticed the young lady turning blue.

Angel realized that the waitress was right and jumps around the table to help unlodge the muffin from Buffy's throat. Buffy felt her cheeks burn with fire as the muffin flew out of her mouth.

"Are you okay?" Angel asks.

"Miss, you okay?" The waitress added.

"Yeah, just need..a..drink." Buffy answered as she reached out to grab her coffee and gulp it down. The hot burning sensation of the liquid did nothing to help calm her down.

"That was a close call." The waitress chuckled with relief as she left the table.

"I’m so sorry Buffy." Angel chuckled as well.

"I can't believe you." Buffy cried out as she laid her money on the table and storm out of the diner.

Angel ran after her. Buffy saw him following her and began to jog as fast as she could. Angel wondered what was really bothering her at this precise moment? Was she embarrassed or was she trying to get away from the guy who just announced that he wanted more than friendship from her?

Chapter 21

Buffy was relieved to see that Angel had given up on the jog. Buffy was just coming around the corner when she crash up against a hard male body. This sudden impact causes her to fall backward and she landed on her backside hard.

"Buffy Summers!" Angel yelled out as he reaches down to help her back up.

"How? How did you do that?" Buffy cried out as a pain shot up her backside.

"Easily, I use to jog this area every morning and every evening to get be prepared for football season." Angel explained with a lop sided grin.

"Yea for you!" Buffy huffed.

"What is going on with you? I mean, I know me saying that I love you might freak you out but I didn't think it would make you run away from me. I mean, I know some girls who would sell their souls for me to profess my love to them." Angel exclaimed.

"Damn you have an ego!" Buffy growled as she caught her breathe.

"True, but seriously I know girls want me. Mainly, because they think if Cordy dated me then I must be something worth dating." Angel frowns.

"Is that what you really think?" Buffy stared deep into his eyes.

"Which part exactly?" Angel chuckled.

"The part where you had to date Cordelia in order to get girls to notice you?" Buffy said.

"Mainly. Yeah." Angel shook in his in agreement.

"Angel, there is so much about you that is incredible. I mean, for me to see you with Cordelia is a complete turn off. You by yourself is wonderful. Your kind, compassionate, smart, athletic, and funny." Buffy replied.

"You think being smart is a turn on?" Angel asks.

"Sure. I wouldn't want to date a handsome guy who didn't have anything upstairs to offer as well." Buffy answered.

"So you like them cute and smart." Angel stated.

"I guess. I mean, sure." Buffy shrugged her shoulders.

"Can I ask you something and you give me an honest answer?" Angel took her hands in his.

"Do you feel even slightly the same as I do? I mean, is there a possibility that you might want to date me rather than just be my friend?" Angel gulped hard as he awaited her answer.

Buffy looked into his eyes and thought of all the times she had imagine a moment like this. Why was it so hard for her to believe that her dream had come true?

"Angel, I once wanted this moment for so long but now that it is here well, I just can't accept that it’s real." Buffy answered from her heart.

"You mean, you have felt this way about me before today?" Angel looked surprised.

Buffy couldn't speak. She just shook her head as tears rolled down her face.

Angel released her hands and pulled her into a tight embrace. Buffy began to sobbed into his chest as she felt the heat of his body next to hers.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Angel cup her chin up so he could wipe away the tears and stare into her eyes.

"Because I was scared it would ruin our friendship. I would die if you were not a part of my life in some form or fashion." Buffy explained.

"God, how could I have not noticed?" Angel asks. His heart felt as if it would jump out of his chest.

"You were so busy with trying to be popular and a pro football player." Buffy answered.

"Will you forgive me?" Angel pleaded.

"For what?" Buffy frowned.

"For not seeing the woman you had become, instead of the little skinny girl I grew up with." Angel answered with a crooked smile.

"I guess I can try." Buffy accepted.

"Is that why you were so mad at me last night?" Angel asks as it dawn on him why she had reacted so strangely the night before.

"Yeah, a little. I was mainly mad at myself but I took it out on you. Plus, it was so hard to be around you and not be able to grab you and kiss you." Buffy informed him with her own silly smile.

"I'm here now. We are in each other’s arms. Kiss me." Angel said in a husky voice.

Buffy licked her dry lips. She closed her eyes, tucked her fingers into the hair on either side of his head and brought her open mouth up to his. Quickly, repeatedly, he slipped the tip of his tongue just inside to moist skin. Buffy kissed him back. For every move he made, she had one of her own.

Angel released her mouth as he panted for breath. Her eyes were still closed. He kissed her closed eyelids. Warm. Her breasts were warm up against his chest. Her hips fitted snugly between his thighs. If she didn't feel what she was doing to him, she wasn't feeling anything Angel thought.

Buffy felt what she was doing to him.

Angel watched Buffy glance downward and let out a shaky breath.

"I love you." Angel whispered as he kissed her forehead and then put some space between their heated bodies.

"I love you too." Buffy wore a sly smile as she blushed softly.

"Oh boy. I guess we should walk and talk some more." Angel suggested with a blush of his own.

"If you wish." Buffy giggled.

"Oh you know what a teenage boy wishes for but now is not the right time for that." Angel laughed as he struggled with his hormones.

"Your right." Buffy agreed but in the back of her mind she was considering what the consequences would be if she threw him down to the ground and ravished him.

Instead, the newfound couple strolled in the park as they discussed how they would tell their friends about the enormous change in their relationship.

Chapter 22:

Willow threw her arms around Buffy first and then Angel second.

"I knew you two would figure it out eventually." Willow cried out with joy.

"I just can't believe I was so blind for so long." Angel replied with a sheepish smile.

"It doesn't matter how long it took. I always knew if it was meant to be it would happen naturally." Buffy said.

"I guess this means we won't see much of you two for a while." Gunn finally spoke up.

"Why not?" Buffy and Angel ask in union.

"You know how it is when a couple first starts dating. They need time to get to know one another and all the other good stuff." Gunn replied with a weak smile.

"Oh, you mean like you and Fred. I recall a time when I only saw you at football practice, ALONE. I'm serious, if Fred could go with him she was there." Angel teased the couple standing next to them.

"It's true. I was a fool for love. I could not get enough of this man." Fred wrapped her arms around Gunn's waist and flash him a sweet smile.

"What's with the past pretense?" Gunn teased her.

"You know what I mean." Fred slaps his arm playfully.

"Xander you have been awful quiet." Buffy’s eyes focused on him.

"I’m happy for you guys. You two were made for one another." Xander answered with a bright smile.

Willow sensed that he was not as happy as he wanted them to think he was. She suspected it was due to the fact that he was the only single guy in the group now. Willow and Oz had been dating for almost two weeks now. It was quite clear that they were well made for one another.

"Really?" Buffy frowned at him.

"Yes, you are the only girl I know who could keep that big head of his deflated." Xander joked.

Buffy reach out and hugged Xander.

"You will find someone soon. I promise." Buffy whispered in his ear.

"I know." Xander agreed as he kissed her cheek.

"So I guess we should head out. I have some algebra homework to work on." Fred winks at Gun.

"Yeah, I have some too." Gunn produced a big smile for the group.

None of them were fooled by that accuse to leave but didn't argue with it.

"Xander would you like to go with Oz and me to play some put-put?" Willow offered.

"Nah, I'm to putted out for it tonight. I think I will head home. Thanks." Xander answered as he strolled out of the Summer's house.

"Catch up with you guys later. If you want, you know where we will be." Willow reminded them as she held tightly to Oz's hand.

"Thanks Will," Buffy beamed.

"Well, they all know. Now what?" Angel sighed with relief.

"Now, we relax and enjoy ourselves." Buffy answered as she leaned over and kissed the man she had loved for nearly her entire life.

The End

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